AVP Welcomes Players Back To Championships in Chicago Presented by Acer This Weekend

CHICAGO - Aug. 31, 2016 - PRLog -- Following a season in which beach volleyball fans have been thrilled by U.S. Olympians, the emergence of several new budding stars and a series of exciting events across the country, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) concludes the 2016 calendar with the $200,000 AVP Championships Presented by Acer at Oak Street Beach (1000 Lake Shore Drive) on the shores of Lake Michigan, Thursday through Sunday.

Seven of the eight players who represented the U.S. at the Rio Olympics this month are scheduled to compete in the Tour's return to the Windy City. The duos of Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat, Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena and Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson will hit the sand as well as 2016 Bronze Medalist April Ross, who will team with Kelly Reeves for this event. Other notables in the field include brothers Taylor/Trevor Crabb, Tri Bourne/John Hyden, and Lane Carico/Summer Ross.

Qualification begins on Thursday, with men's and women's squads battling for precious main draw berths. Double-elimination play begins Friday and concludes with the semifinals and finals on Sunday, with live coverage airing nationwide on NBC at noon CT.

"Beach Volleyball was one of the most popular and most discussed sports in Rio, and we are pleased to be continuing that excitement with outstanding Team USA members and other stars at our season-ending Championships in Chicago," said Donald Sun, Managing Partner of the AVP. "Oak Street Beach of Lake Shore Drive is an ideal venue to bring these great players together to celebrate an outstanding 2016 AVP season."

The AVP Championships Presented by Acer is the eighth and final stop on the AVP's 2016 schedule General Admission is Free. Premium packages and VIP seating can be purchased at https://avp.ticketspice.com/chicago-ticketing.

Matches will be streamed live at www.avp.com, prior to NBC's live coverage. The schedule for the event is as follows:

• Thurs, Sept. 1: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Qualifying Tournament
• Friday, Sept. 2: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Main Draw Opening Rounds
• Saturday, Sept. 3: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Main Draw Elimination Rounds
• Sunday, Sept. 4: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. -- Semi-Finals & Finals

The AVP thanks its partners: Acer, Barefoot, Breville Jaybird, Samuel Adams, Smartypants Vitamins, Obrigado, Ocean Spray, Powercrunch and Wilson for their support of the AVP Championships.

ABOUT THE AVP:

The AVP, completing its 33^rd season, is the premiere American professional beach volleyball tour and exclusive U.S. beach volleyball home of the nation's top male and female athletes, including those who have won gold, silver and bronze medals in the Olympic Games. Under the ownership of Donald Sun since 2012, the AVP held seven tournaments across the U.S. in 2014, eight in 2015 and eight this year.