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StumbleuponBeach volleyball stars will take to the sand in Mason
Thursday, August 28, 2008
MASON — This weekend's AVP Crocs Cup Shootout will be the return home for a pair of gold medal beach volleyball teams.
Olympic champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won their second straight gold medal last week in Beijing, while Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser won gold in their Olympic debut on the men's side.
Both teams also are the defending champs of the Mason event, which begins at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, and wraps up Sunday with the women's final (1 p.m.) and men's final (2:30 p.m.) at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
"The fact that NBC covered the main matches of pro beach volleyball at the Olympics in prime time legitimizes the sport," said Mario Cicchinelli, director of Reach Event Marketing. "Our attendance has continued to grow the last three years, and with this only our fourth year, where we've taken it is a credit to the volleyball community in the area."
Last year's total attendance at Mason was 30,000, and this year's goal is 35,000. General admission tickets are available for Sunday's finals, and Cicchinelli said sales are "very brisk" despite competing against high school football and the holiday weekend.
With this being the first stop on the AVP tour after the Beijing Olympics, the Olympians will be honored during a ceremony Saturday night. Crocs Cup points and prize money will be doubled.
AVP Crocs Tour
What: Cincinnati Open
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason
Tickets: Call (800) 781-4296 or visit www.avp.com
