US Open of Beach Volleyball Headed to Santa Barbara Tournament Expected to Draw Hundreds of Competitors Sept. 26–28

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. (Sept. 17, 2008) --- The second annual US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona Extra, will hit the beaches of Santa Barbara September 26-28, as more than 500 beach volleyball players from across the country arrive to compete in one of the nation’s largest grassroots beach volleyball tournaments.

Hosted by volleyball Legend, and Santa Barbara native, Karch Kiraly, the tournament will feature competition in 16 divisions for men, women and co-ed teams. The event is sanctioned by USA Volleyball.

“The US Open of Beach Volleyball brings the sport back to its roots on the beach and we are really looking forward to a great event in Santa Barbara,” Kiraly said. “Over the years, such players as Misty May, Todd Rogers, Phil Dalhausser, Mike Dodd and Nicole Branagh and I have played in events like the CVBA tournaments and the Zephyrhills competitions. Now, with the help of our friends at Corona we have brought these and several other great events in to the US Open as qualifier tournaments. This allows us to bring teams from all over the country to compete for the title of US Open Champions.”

Teams have qualified to compete in the US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona, through one of 24 different qualifier events held across the nation. Competition will be held in the following divisions:

Men’s Open,AA,A,BB,B

Women’sOpen,AA,A,B

Men’sandWomen’sMasters(37andover)

Men’sandWomen’sMasters(45andover)

Co-edOpen,A,B(two-personteams)

In addition, a special qualifying tournament will be held for both the men’s and women’s Open divisions on Friday, Sept. 26 to award the final eight berths in the Open division draws. This event is open to all players who wish to enter and compete in the Open divisions. Players interested in the Sept. 26 qualifier can sign up at http://www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com.

“Beach volleyball and the beach lifestyle align perfectly with Corona Extra,” said Timm Amundson, vice president of marketing, Corona Extra and Corona Light for Crown Imports. “We are working closely with USA Volleyball and the organizers of the US Open to showcase beach volleyball all around the country and this event in Santa Barbara is just the beginning of our expanded commitment to the lifestyle and the continued growth of grassroots beach volleyball in this country.”
Spalding, whose King of the Beach all-weather volleyball has become the #1 selling competition volleyball in the outdoor market, will underwrite the entry fees of those teams that advanced to the US Open through one of the 24 qualifier events in the men’s, women’s and open divisions. Teams in other divisions that advanced to the US Open through one of the Official US Open Qualifier Tournaments will have their entry fees paid by Paul Mitchell.

Entry to the US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona Extra, is still open for all divisions. Entry fees are $60 per team for all men’s women’s and co-ed divisions, other than the Open Divisions. Open Divisions entry are $100 per team. Entries will be accepted until midnight PDT on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at http://www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com. Registration also is available on site, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 for the Open division qualifiers, limited to the first 32 teams that sign up. Registration also is available on site on Saturday, Sept. 27 for all amateur divisions, based on open spots available in any of the amateur draws. There is an additional $10 per person charge for on-site registration.

In addition to Corona Extra, other sponsors of this year’s US Open of Beach Volleyball are Oakley, Spalding, Paul Mitchell and Jones Trading, who will sponsor the Masters Divisions.

For more information on the 2008 US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona Extra, please visit US Open of Beach Volleyball.

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Media Contact: Tip Nunn 303.526.0994 Tipnunn@comcast.net

The US Open of Beach Volleyball was created with the specific purpose of providing an opportunity for adult players to pursue a crowning achievement on a national stage. The sport continues to grow as demonstrated by the level of active participation found at the regional level. We see players actively participating on all four coasts and at unique and special centers throughout the interior of the United States.

Tip Nunn
303.526.0994
Tipnunn@comcast.net

This release was published on openPR.