An Inside Look at AVP Chicago

  0 Wendy Mayer | August 30th, 2018 | AVP Tour, News, Pro Beach

AVP Gold Series – The Championships in Chicago

AVP Chicago is the last stop on the three-event gold series, which features increased points and prize money. The prize purse is $250,000 for the event, which is set on the backdrop between Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyline.

It is also the final chance for teams to vie for a spot in the Hawaii Invitational tournament in September. (Two teams per gender will receive a bid to Hawaii based on their best finishes in two of the three gold series events). Current team standings are here.

The Field

  • 24 teams per gender will play in the main draw beginning on Friday
  • Men
    • 64 men’s teams will vie for the final eight spots in the main draw
    • Three-time 2018 champs and 2016 Chicago gold medalists Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena are the top seed. Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb, Reid Priddy/Jeremy Casebeer, Ed Ratledge/Roberto Rodriguez and Billy Allen/Ryan Doherty round out the top 5. 
    • After finishing seventh in his come back from 18 months away due to an autoimmune disorder at AVP Manhattan Beach two weeks ago, Tri Bourne is at it again in Chicago alongside partner Trevor Crabb as the No. 11 seed.
    • Indoor Olympian David Lee is back for his second crack at life on the beach after making it through qualifying at AVP Manhattan Beach.
    • John Hyden is teaming up with Duncan Budinger, former NBA star to beach player Chase Budinger’s brother, for the Chicago Open. Hyden and Theo Brunner finished third in Manhattan Beach, while Duncan teamed up with Daniel Dalanhese to finish 13th.
  • Women
    • 36 women’s teams playing in Thursday’s qualifying bracket
    • Two-time 2018 AVP champs Sara Hughes/Summer Ross are the top seed on the women’s side, followed by Kelly Claes/Brittany Hochevar, two-time gold medalists Alix Klineman/April Ross and Emily Day/Betsi Flint and Emily Stockman/Kelley Larsen.
    • Sarah Sponcil is playing with a new partner in Chicago, teaming up with Terese Cannon in the qualifying bracket. Sponcil has teamed up with Lauren Fendrick at three AVP and two FIVB events, including a runnerup finish in Austin and ninth-pace finish at the Vienna Major. Cannon has played with Corinne Quiggle and Jace Pardon twice and 2017 partner Nicolette Martin once on the AVP circuit in 2018.

Event Extras

  • The AVP is hosting the Chicago Social Tournament on Saturday, an adult coed recreational and intermediate 4’s and 6’s event on North Avenue Beach

  • The AVP also is offering an exclusive Pong Night event Saturday night at We Are Spin, in conjunction with the Chicago Sport & Social Club, including ping pong, a DJ and more. Details here.

AVP Chicago Event History

  • 2017:
    • Men: Ryan Doherty/John Hyden def. Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena for gold. Billy Allen/Stafford Slick and Jeremy Casebeer/John Mayer were third.
    • Women: Kelly Claes/Sara Hughes def. Summer Ross/Brooke Sweat for gold. Emily Day/Brittany Hochevar and Lauren Fendrick/April Ross were third.
  • 2016
    • Men: Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena def. Tri Bourne/John Hyden for gold. Taylor Crabb/Trevor Crabb and Ryan Doherty/John Mayer were third.
    • Women: Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat def. Betsi Flint/Kelley Larsen for gold. Lane Carico/Summer Ross and Ali McColloch/Geena Urango were third.
  • 2015
    • Men: Brad Keenan/Ty Tramblie def. Ryan Doherty/John Mayer for gold. Todd Rogers/Stafford Slick and Casey Jennings/Billy Kolinske were third.
    • Women: Nicole Branagh/Jenny Kropp def. Kim DiCello/Kendra Vanzwieten for gold. Lane Carico/Summer Ross and Amandy Dowdy/Heather McGuire were third.

AVP 2018 Podium Finishes

  • Four men’s teams have raised AVP trophies in 2018
    • Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena – Austin (May 20), New York City (June 10), Manhattan Beach (Aug. 19)
    • Taylor Crabb/Jake Gibb – Seattle (June 24)
    • Ed Ratledge/Roberto Rodriguez (July 8)
    • Theo Brunner/John Hyden (July 29)
  • Three teams have won women’s titles in 2018
    • Alix Klineman/April Ross – Austin (May 20) and Manhattan Beach (Aug. 19)
    • Sara Hughes/Summer Ross – New York City (June 10) and Hermosa Beach (July 29)
    • Emily Day/Betsi Flint – Seattle (June 24) and San Francisco (July 8)

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About Wendy Mayer

Wendy Mayer

Wendy Mayer has worked in athletics media relations for the last 20 years. The Northwest Missouri State alumna is currently senior writer for Volleymob.com after spending the last 15 years with Purdue athletics.

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