US Open of Beach Volleyball Returns Sept. 26-27

Copy and Contact:
Tip Nunn (303-526-0994)

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2009) - More than 750 beach volleyball players from across the United States are expected to converge on Manhattan Beach, Calif., when the third annual US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona, is played Sept. 26–27, 2009.

Teams have qualified to compete in the US Open of Beach Volleyball, presented by Corona, through one of 32 different qualifier events held across the nation, including eight events on the Corona Wide Open beach volleyball festivals. This year, in addition to competition in 16 two-person divisions, the annual event also will include two four-person co-ed divisions. The tournament is sanctioned by USA Volleyball, the official governing body of volleyball in the United States.

“This event has grown tremendously in the last three years,” said volleyball legend Karch Kiraly, who serves as the Commissioner of the event. “With the addition this year of the eight-city Corona Wide Open and the 24 other official qualification events for this year’s US Open, we have expanded the reach of beach volleyball all across this nation and it will be a thrill to see these teams come to Manhattan Beach and compete for a US Open title. This event is what beach volleyball is all about and it has a great future in the sport and within the beach community.”

Competition will be held in the following divisions:

• Men’s Open, AA, A, BB, B
• Women’s Open, AA, A, B
• Men’s and Women’s Masters (37 and over)
• Men’s and Women’s Masters (45 and over)
• Co-ed Open, A, B (two-person teams)
• Co-ed four-person Open, Fun

“USA Volleyball is proud to offer and sanction this third edition of the US Open of Beach Volleyball as it continues to expand its reach throughout the country via an extensive array of qualifier events,” USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. “Beach volleyball continues to gain mainstream acceptance in all parts of the country, even away from the traditional beach havens where the sport sprouted and has enjoyed long-term success.”

In addition, the final Corona Wide Open qualifying tournament of 2009 will be held for both the men’s and women’s Open divisions on Friday, Sept. 25 to award the final 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. 25 qualifier can sign up at www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com.

There is $12,000 total prize money up for grabs in Manhattan Beach, with $5,000 awarded in both the men’s and women’s Open divisions. Additionally, there is a $1,000 purse for the co-ed Open division and $1,500 in the co-ed four-person Open division.

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 two-person men’s women’s and co-ed divisions, other than the Open Divisions. Open Divisions entry are $100 per team and the entry fee for the co-ed four-person division is $120 per team. Open division entries will be accepted until 8 p.m. PDT on Thursday, Sept. 24 at www.usopenbeachvolleyball.com. Entries for all other divisions will be accepted online until 8 p.m. PDT on Friday, Sept 25. Registration also is available on site, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 for the Open division qualifiers. Registration also is available on site on Saturday, Sept. 26 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. All on-site registration is subject to availability in each division.

In addition to Corona Extra, other sponsors of this year’s US Open of Beach Volleyball are Oakley, Spalding, Fiji Water, Surftech, Quik Performance and Jones Trading.

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