Ever wonder what AVP stands for? It’s Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP). The AVP has been established in 1983 initially to protect players’ interests and to preserve the integrity of beach volleyball. Taken from avp.com:

The AVP was established in 1983 and is comprised of the best men’s and women’s pro beach volleyball players in the U.S. and arguably, the world. The AVP’s main goal is to deliver its fans the experience of an amazing athletic contest surrounded by an unforgettable beach party. More than one million people are expected to attend an AVP event every year. On May 31, 2001 the AVP was reorganized with a new management team led by agent Leonard Armato and his company Management Plus. When they announced the acquisition of the tour in Manhattan Beach, Calif. they made a historic move by uniting both men and women professional beach volleyball players under one umbrella organization. With this historic unification of the men’s and women’s competitions, the “new” AVP Tour has been able to capitalize on having one property that could maximize sponsor dollars, marketing opportunities, media coverage and prize money. The AVP now stands alone as the only pro beach volleyball tour in the US and has a cooperative relationship with USA Volleyball and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB).

Here are some beach volleyball action during the 2008 AVP Crocs Slam McDonald’s Chicago Open presented by Nautica. The tandem of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won this particular tourney. Photos were taken by kababayan Conrad Castelo, a talented photographer who resides in Chicago. Enjoy:

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