AVP DASHBOARD

AVP to bring Olympic stars to Lake Sammamish State Park, WA

 | 

SEATTLE (July 8, 2015) – The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), along with the Seattle Sports Commission, announced today that the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will return to Seattle in 2015 for the first time in 25 years, as the AVP Seattle Open will be held August 6-9 at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah, Wash.

The tournament is one of seven on the AVP’s 2015 schedule and is expected to attract the best and brightest stars of beach volleyball, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings (2004, 2008, 2012), Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser (2008) and Todd Rogers (2008), Olympic silver medalists April Ross (2012) and Jennifer Kessy (2012), two-time Olympians Jake Gibb (2008, 2012) and Sean Rosenthal (2008, 2012), and Olympian Nicole Branagh (2008), as well as a number of up-and coming stars and hopefuls for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

For information on ticket availability and competition schedules, please visit www.AVP.com. Media interested in covering the tournament can apply for credentials at https://avp.webconnex.com/SeattleMedia. Visitors attending the event are reminded that a Discover Pass is needed for vehicle access to the park, and it is recommended that people purchase the pass before arriving at the park. For information, visit www.DiscoverPass.wa.gov.

“We’re looking forward to bringing the excitement of AVP beach volleyball to the Pacific Northwest,” said Donald Sun, the AVP’s Managing Partner. “The AVP features some of the best athletes in the world, and with the Rio Olympics coming up next summer, interest in beach volleyball has never been higher.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to have a little fun in the sun in the Seattle area,” said Ralph Morton, Executive Director of the Seattle Sports Commission. “Bringing the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour back to the region will bring in world-class athletes, promote a great venue at Lake Sammamish State Park and bring beach volleyball fans in from around the region.”

The AVP Seattle Open will feature 16 top men’s duos and 16 top women’s duos competing in three days of main draw play preceded by a one-day open qualifying tournament. The competition will be held on four courts spread out across Lake Sammamish State Park and will be surrounded by a high-energy atmosphere complete with great food, music and interactive activities.

The open qualifying tournament on Thursday, August 6 will be split among two sites, with the men playing at Lake Sammamish State Park and the women’s qualifier being hosted by AVP Northwest at Bottega Beach Training Center (16720 Hwy 9, Snohomish, WA, 98296). Main draw play Friday-Sunday (August 7-9) will be contested exclusively at Lake Sammamish State Park.

The tournament finals will be broadcast live Sunday, August 9 on NBC from 1:30-3 p.m. PT.

 

The AVP played the last of its previous three tournaments in Seattle in 1990, when all-time victories leader Karch Kiraly teamed with Brent Frohoff to take home the tournament title. Mike Dodd and Tim Hovland teamed to win the 1988 and ’89 tournaments, more than a decade before the men’s and women’s tours merged under the AVP umbrella.

The Seattle Open is the third event on the AVP’s 2015 schedule, which also includes events in New Orleans; New York City; Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Chicago; Cincinnati; and Huntington Beach, Calif. The AVP also hosted and operated an Olympic qualifying tournament on the FIVB World Tour in St. Petersburg, Fla. in June.

 

 

About The AVP

Established in 1983, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) produces, markets and distributes volleyball events worldwide, including the popular AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. While promoting family-oriented events and supporting a healthy lifestyle, the AVP is best known for its world-class athletes, who have won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Olympic games. The AVP headquarters are in Costa Mesa, Calif. www.avp.com

 

About the Seattle Sports Commission

The Seattle Sports Commission (SSC), a division of Visit Seattle, is committed to making Seattle a world-class sports community.  Sports can bring the world to Seattle and bring our region together. A strong sports culture can strengthen local businesses, local kids and local pride. www.seattlesports.org.

 

About Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park is a 500-acre day-use park in Issaquah, King County. The park has nearly 7,000 feet of lake shoreline. Visitors to Lake Sammamish State Park enjoy kayaking and canoeing, swimming, hiking, picnicking and community events. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of 124 parks across the state. Its mission is to provide recreation opportunity and to protect and preserve natural, cultural and historical resources as a legacy to future generations.

 

Media contacts:

Greg Ball                                                Crystal Fukumoto

Brener Zwikel & Associates                   Brener Zwikel & Associates

gregb@bzapr.com                                  crystalf@bzapr.com

(760) 271-9183                                      (310) 709-8690

Category: AVP News, Events

More Trending Articles for You

See All Articles