ATLANTIC CITY — Two-time Olympian Phil Dalhausser has soared for spikes and dived for digs on beach volleyball courts all over the world.
He regards Atlantic City, which will host the second Do AC Pro Beach Volleyball Invitational on Sept. 5-7, among his favorite venues.
“I think it’s great for us players,” Dalhausser said Wednesday on the beach in front of Steel Pier. “Being so close to the casinos gives us something to do when we’re not playing, and we’re always happy when we get to play on a natural beach.”
Organizers are also hoping it will be big among the fans.
After drawing standing-room-only crowds at last year’s event, the marketing coalition Atlantic City Alliance and Association of Volleyball Professionals owner Donald Sun decided to expand the tournanment both on and off the courts.
General admission will again be free, but they plan to have “Club AVP” and “VIP” sections that will offer food and drink, plus a sponsorship area and possibly a food court.
The tournament will also have a full, 32-team field — 16 men’s and 16 women’s — after having 16 total teams in 2013.
“When we came to Atlantic City last year, we weren’t sure what to expect,” Sun said Wednesay in a phone interview from AVP headquarters in Los Angeles. “We were blown away by the way the courts were set up, the number of people who came to the tournament and the tremendous support from the community. We’re super, super excited to be coming back.”
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(Photo: Ben Fogletto)