AVP Opens A $2 Million Season With Two Surprise Victories In Austin

The AVP started its first full campaign under Bally’s ownership with a mix of the old and new at its season opener in Austin, Texas. The Austin Pro Series Open kicked off the first of 16 tournaments for the year, with $2 million in prize money slated for the tour. The three-day tournament ran from May 6-8 with 16 teams each for the men and women competing for a $125,000 purse.

The Austin Pro Series Open gave fans a chance to see the sport’s marquee stars on display, including a host of 2020 Tokyo Olympians. Participants included Sarah Sponcil, Kelly Chang, Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes from the women’s side, as well as Taylor Crabb, Phil Dalhausser and Tri Bourne from the men.

The star-studded event did not disappoint, with 2021 upstarts Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss taking the women’s final 21-18, 21-13 over the top-seeded Canadian duo of Humana-Parades and Pavan. Kloth and Nuss had the sixth seed and made a grueling battle through the contenders’ bracket to get to the eventual championship.

Nuss, the tour’s 2021 Rookie of the Year, is already looking to bring her highlight defense to the next tour stop in New Orleans.

“I knew that if I got the ball up, she’d run it down and set me up,” Nuss said. “You just kind of have to make those plays and find a way to get an arm on it. I’m super excited (to play next in New Orleans). I know everyone is going to come out. They’ve been looking forward to it – I’ve been getting so many text messages. I’m super excited to get back home and try to do this again.”

For the men, a familiar face was unexpectedly in the spotlight, as the legendary Phil Dalhausser once again stood far above the competition. Filling in for his former partner Nick Lucena on short notice, Dalhausser stepped out of semi-retirement to pair with the 6’9” Andy Benesh to form one of the tallest teams in AVP history. Dalhausser gave fans a rare treat patrolling the entire court, whether at the net or playing back court defense.

When the dust settled, Benesh and Dalhausser emerged victorious in two sets, 21-19, 21-18 over Chase Budinger and Troy Field. While the win was Benesh’s first, it represented Dalhausser’s 60th tour title. Benesh said it was a surreal experience to not only play but win with Dalhausser by his side.

“It’s crazy,” Benesh said. “Him being the player that he is and the person that he is, I’ve gotten to know Phil the last couple years, and he’s been really welcoming. He has helped a lot of things in my game. Never in a million years did I was going to play a tournament with him, but man that was fun.”

With Austin ushering in a season of increased payouts, AVP athletes are hoping this event will jump start increased exposure for beach volleyball through Bally’s regional sports networks. The AVP says the television rights are part of a tiered plan to expand opportunities for up-and-comers in one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

“Our new broadcast agreements with FS1, Bally Sports and Tennis Channel will expose millions of viewers to the AVP Tour and hopefully create some new fans of professional beach volleyball,” said AVP CEO Al Lau. “Beyond that, we are proud to be able to offer a schedule for our players that features more tournaments and more prize money than have been offered in 13 years. The AVP’s new three-tiered system improves the professional pipeline and increases money for athletes breaking into professional beach volleyball, which supports the long-term growth of the sport.”