Video: Watch how Intuit Dome is transformed into Intuit Beach
AVP, the biggest and longest-running professional volleyball league, hosted beach volleyball matches for the first time in an NBA arena this past weekend. Hosted at the Intuit Dome, crews were tasked with bringing 300 tons of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs, which is roughly 16 truck loads. AVP is looking for creative ways […]
AVP, the biggest and longest-running professional volleyball league, hosted beach volleyball matches for the first time in an NBA arena this past weekend.
Hosted at the Intuit Dome, crews were tasked with bringing 300 tons of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs, which is roughly 16 truck loads. AVP is looking for creative ways to attract a new audiences to the sport, often hosting their marquee volleyball events in unconventional locations.
Timelapse of Intuit Dome transforming into an indoor beach vollyball court. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
A wooden sandbox was constructed to contain the prewashed sand and form a single court.
It took the crew, which consists of about 150 people for a change over a typical event at Intuit Dome, five hours after the conclusion of the event to ready the arena for Clippers season ticket-holders the following day.
2025 AVCA First Serve: Schedule, teams, how to watch the college volleyball event
The 2025 college volleyball season opens at the AVCA First Serve from Aug. 22-24 in Lincoln, Neb., and Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Some of the nation’s premier programs are slated for competition in the first few days of the season. The matches are set to broadcast across FOX, FS1, ESPN and Big Ten […]
The 2025 college volleyball season opens at the AVCA First Serve from Aug. 22-24 in Lincoln, Neb., and Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Some of the nation’s premier programs are slated for competition in the first few days of the season.
The matches are set to broadcast across FOX, FS1, ESPN and Big Ten Network throughout the weekend.
Check out the storylines, schedule and teams below.
2025 AVCA First Serve Schedule
All times ET
Friday, Aug. 22 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh | 7 p.m. | FOX | Live Stats
No. 6 Stanford vs. No. 16 Florida | 9 p.m. | FOX | Live Stats
Saturday, Aug. 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
No. 15 Kansas vs. Vanderbilt | 3 p.m. | FS1 | Live Stats
No. 2 Penn State vs. No. 12 Creighton | 5 p.m. | FS1 | Live Stats
Sunday, Aug. 24 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Florida| 1 p.m. | ESPN | Live Stats
No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 6 Stanford | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | Live Stats
August 25, 2025 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.:
No. 2 Penn State vs. No. 15 Kansas | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network | Live Stats
No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Minnesota | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network | Live Stats
History of AVCA First Serve
The 2024 AVCA First Serve in Louisville marked the revival a similar preseason event that the association sponsored from 1995-2011 and 2014. Due to new NCAA exemptions prior to the 2024 season, the AVCA was once again able to host four of the nation’s top teams.
In 2024, the then one-night, two-match event featured Nebraska, Kentucky, Louisville and Wisconsin at the KFC Yum! Center. The Huskers defeated the Wildcats 3-1, while the Cardinals rallied for a 3-1 comeback win over the Badgers.
REMEMBER: Nebraska and Louisville post wins in 2024 AVCA First Serve Showcase
All four teams concluded the 2024 season by at least reaching a NCAA regional finals, with the KFC Yum! Center welcoming back Nebraska for the Final Four and Louisville in the National Championship match.
RELIVE: Penn State wins the 2024 National Championship
Storylines to watch this year
The start of the 2025 season kicks off with a wave of new names, faces and stories to watch unfold.
First of all, the AVCA First Serve Showcase is shifting from four to 10 teams and is set to take place over two locations: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., and the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The first six matches over the first three days are in Lincoln, with the fourth and final day of competition taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota with No. 14 Kansas vs. No. 2 Penn State and No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Minnesota. The Sanford Pentagon venue holds 3,250 fans and is home to the NBA G League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The high-profile nonconference matchups between volleyball’s top programs make this event just a taste of the regular and postseason ahead.
No. 1 Nebraska team brings high expectations and a stacked lineup to the field at the helm of a new head coach in Dani Busboom Kelly. Veterans like Harper Murray and Rebekah Allick plus a highly touted freshmen round out their roster. They are set to face No. 3 Pittsburgh. No. 6 Stanford, equipped with experience in Elia Rubin and Lizzy Andrew, will challenge the Huskers to round out their showcase.
Coming in at No. 2 in the preseason rankings, defending national champion Penn State looks to make a statement. Though the Nittany Lions lost some veteran players in the offseason, they bring back plenty of experience and some big-name newcomers. Penn State opens up against No. 12 Creighton in a rematch of the 2024 regional finals, where the Nittany Lions knocked off the Bluejays in a five-set thriller. They finish with a matchup against No. 14 Kansas.
2024 NCAA tournament top overall seed No. 3 Pitt comes to Lincoln, bringing back National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock. With some big moves in the portal and veteran leadership under coach Dan Fisher, the Panthers should make some waves against No. 1 Nebraska and No. 16 Florida.
LEARN ABOUT THE AVCA Player of the Year Award
After an impressive run to the regional semifinals, No. 9 Texas A&M looks to continue its momentum in 2025. The Aggies bring back star talent in Logan Lednicky as they face No. 11 Minnesota.
The AVCA First Serve marks not just a new season but the beginning of several new tenures in college volleyball.
Besides Nebraska having a new coach No. 12 Creighton arrives with a new leader in Brian Rosen. No. 14 Kansas will additionally kick off the season under fresh leadership in Matt Ulmer, and the No. 16 Florida Gators begin a new era as Ryan Theis steps into his first year following the retirement of legendary coach Mary Wise.
Vanderbilt joins the field for one match against No. 14 Kansas, as the newly instated Commodores compete for the first time since 1980. The Commodores brought in talent from Ivy League Player of the Year Kamryn Chaney.
READ MORE: Storylines to know before the 2025 season
New RBVL Champions Crowned, on a Heartbreaking Day – THE ROCKAWAY TIMES
By Sean Shevlin The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt. […]
The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt.
Spirits were high as players, friends and family packed the beach for the commencement of the first round, at 10:30 a.m. However, during the early afternoon ambulances could be seen by the flagpole, at the top of the beach, and all play soon stopped as word filtered down that a player had suffered a heart attack and was being treated in one of those ambulances. That player was Rockaway resident Charles Nopper, who later died. He was 43. Nopper, beloved by many, was a former DSNY worker, who spent time behind the bar at Jamesons and as manager at Bishops Barn. The RBVL committee extends its heartfelt condolences to the Nopper family, on this devastating loss. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church.
Meanwhile, all but the Sun division, Charles’ division, elected to continue play, and nine champions were crowned. Congratulations to all!!
The winners include Storage Place of the Ocean Division, Rockaway Soda of Ocean Breeze, BHYC Snotty Yachties of the Wave Division, the 123 Bangouts of Beach, Leo’s Tavern of Beach Breeze, Danger Zone of Boardwalk, Boarder’s Surf Shop on Sun Ray, DysFUNctional of Moon and the BHYC Social Yachties of the Star Division.
Walk of Fame ceremony kicks off 65th Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament – Daily Breeze
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open kicked off this week by honoring last year’s winners of the national volleyball tournament. A standing-room-only red carpet ceremony for the 2024 victors on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Manhattan Beach Pier set the stage for the 65th annual installment of the popular beach volleyball competition, part of the Association […]
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open kicked off this week by honoring last year’s winners of the national volleyball tournament.
A standing-room-only red carpet ceremony for the 2024 victors on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Manhattan Beach Pier set the stage for the 65th annual installment of the popular beach volleyball competition, part of the Association of Volleyball Professionals‘ Heritage Series.
Men’s champions Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb, and and women’s champions Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss accepted their plaques at the Thursday afternoon ceremony, and revealed the newly installed bronze that will remain etched into the pier.
This was Crabb’s fourth Manhattan Beach Open victory, while Brunner, Kloth and Nuss each won the event for the first time.
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Theo Brunner, and Trevor Crabb, and Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss receive their plaques during the Walk of Fame ceremony for the winners of the 2024 Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Both teams nearly didn’t compete last year, but were glad that they ultimately did, as they would’ve otherwise missed the shot at victory that was waiting for them at the end of the 2024 open. Kloth and Nuss rose out of defeat in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, while Brunner and Crabb weren’t sure if they were going to play together — or at all.
“A year ago, we had the most amazing experience when we made it to the Paris Olympics,” Kloth said. “Then, a devastating experience when we lost.”
The day after the Olympics loss, Kloth said, Nuss brought her out of her slump and urged her to try to show the world again what she’s capable of on the sand. After all, the two maintained a 36-0 record togetehr at Louisiana State University.
“She said, ‘We should go play the Manhattan Beach Open. We’re way better than this; we have to go play,’” Kloth said, recalling Nuss’ encouragment. “When I was at my lowest, she picked me up exactly when I needed it.”
Nuss, meanwhile, said she’s extremely grateful they didn’t let the international defeat weigh them down.
“Now that our names are on the plaques, I’m glad we came and played,” Nuss said. “It could’ve been so different.”
Crabb, meanwhile, said that before entering the 2024 competition, he considered finding a new partner after he and Brunner didn’t qualify for a different tournament together that year, but never did. So Brunner took the initiative, asking Crabb to team up for what ended up being their fourth and first wins, respectively.
Now, Crabb is working on a potential fifth title in this year’s tournament.
The MBO has “become a second home for me,” Crabb said. “I’ve always thought this was the best beach volleyball tournament ever.”
Brunner said he was especially excited to win, and somewhat surprised, after nearly reaching the championship title a handful of times previously.
“I’ve been in the finals here four times,” Brunner said. “So going into the finals last year was like, here we go again.”
But he was wrong.
A”This was the one thing I got that I can show my kids,” Brunner said, adding that it was a special moment for him for his children to watch him win.
The Manhattan Beach Open Walk of Fame was dedicated in 1996 and honors champions from as far back as the beginning of the competiton in 1960.
Crabb and Brunner were unbeaten throughout last year’s tournament, topping their Paris Olympian competitors 21-18, 21-18 in the final. The pair lost only one set over the three days of the 2024 games.
Kloth and Nuss, meanwhile, beat the defending champions, Julia Scoles and Betsi Flint, in the final match last year. Kloth and Nuss dropped the first set, but went on to win, 18-21, 21-17, 15-9.
Both winning teams’ victories earned them spots in the AVP League last year.
All four will compete once again this weekend in the 2025 open.
AVP Commissioner Bobby Corvino applauded Kloth and Nuss’ tenacity on Thursday, adding that they’ve now secured titles as some of the best players in history.
“Fresh off the Paris Olympics, you guys came home just days later and captured the MBO title,” he said. “No breaks, no excuses, just pure determination and joy for the game.”
Corvino also called Brunner one of the most dominant blockers in beach volleyball, and said that Crabb is not just building a record, but also creating a family dynasty along with his brother, Taylor Crabb, who won the 2023 Manhattan Beach Open.
Brunner, after all, has been named AVP’s Best Block in 2013, 2014, 2022 and 2023, earned a 2013 AVP Championship, and has had international success.
“All four of your names will be etched here alongside others who were the best to play the game,” Corvino said.
Manhattan Beach Mayor David Lesser presented each champion their keepsake plaques, then the players uncovered the awards that will honor their names on the city landmark for years to come.
As she introduced the 2024 inductees, four-time MBO champion April Ross said winning the local tournament is a testament to their hard work and commitment to each other, adding that Nuss is one of the best defenders and attackers on the planet.
“It’s hard to win, even when you’re one of the best teams in the world,” Ross said. “Taryn and Kristen stay calm under pressure and continiue to play their game.” a
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open, meanwhile, will take place from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 15-17.
But on Thursday, 200 teams competed in the qualification tournament, vying for official spots in the Manhattan Beach Open.
The opening rounds begin on Friday. Over the course of the tournament, 32 teams will compete in several rounds of matches until the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
More information about the 2025 Manhattan Beach Open, parking and street closures, go to manhattanbeach.gov.
USA Women Into Semifinals At U20 World Championships After 24-6 Win Over Croatia
Story Links
Salvador, Brazil – August 14 – The USA Junior Women beat Croatia 24-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships. Meghan McAninch scored five and was named player of the match while Lauren Steele and Christine Carpenter combined for 12 saves in net. Team USA advances to the semifinals on […]
Salvador, Brazil – August 14 – The USA Junior Women beat Croatia 24-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships. Meghan McAninch scored five and was named player of the match while Lauren Steele and Christine Carpenter combined for 12 saves in net. Team USA advances to the semifinals on Friday at 6pm et/3pm pt against the winner of Netherlands-Italy. Live streaming of all matches is available through the World Aquatics YouTube page by clicking here. Live stats of all matches are provided from Microplus by clicking here.
Team USA struck first when Julia Bonaguidi rang the register on the opening possession of the game followed by Allison Cohen skipping home the Americans’ second score. Croatia would level the score behind its own pair of goals before Emily Ausmus put the United States back on top with a nice sidearm skip shot. McAninch doubled the advantage before Cohen rose up and fired home her second score. Then it was McAninch again prior to Croatia netting its third on the day to send this contest to the second quarter at 6-3.
Ausmus scored on a counter attack to begin the second and then Cohen scored once again to register a hat trick on the afternoon. The Croatian side was able to sink a long range shot but Charlotte Raisin answered on the other end to regain a five-goal cushion. Midway through the period, Croatia got a skip shot to fall before Rosalie Hassett broke free on the counter attack for another American goal. Raisin scored again late to give Team USA an 11-5 lead at the break.
On the first possession of the second half, Bonaguidi muscled one through the defense and she recorded a hat trick on the ensuing possession with another goal. Next it was Ausmus drawing a penalty and converting on the five meter attempt before another sweet sidearm strike gave Team USA a double digit lead. Midway through the third, Raisin registered a hat trick with her third score coming on another counter attack opportunity and then McAninch fired a cross cage shot into the back of the net for yet another American hat trick. From there, Hassett scored her second before Croatia finally got on the scoreboard in the quarter to leave the score at 18-6 entering the final frame of play.
The fourth quarter brought much of the same from both sides. Quinn Healy, McAninch (2), Raisin, Cohen, and Kamryn Barone all scored for the United States to set the final score at 24-6.
Team USA went 2/3 on power plays and 4/4 on penalties while Croatia went 2/13 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties.
Scoring – Stats
USA 24 (6, 5, 7, 6) M. McAninch 5, E. Ausmus 4, A. Cohen 4, C. Raisin 4, J. Bonaguidi 3, R. Hassett 2, K. Barone 1, Q. Healy 1
CRO 6 (3, 2, 1, 0) J. Butic 3, I. Rozic 2, R. Glas 1
Saves – USA – L. Steele 9, C. Carpenter 3 – CRO – L. Medvesek 2, E. Hanza 1
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AVP Manhattan Beach Open Launches With Walk of Fame Ceremony | Manhattan Beach CA – Manhattan Beach News
The 2025 AVP Manhattan Beach Open festivities kicked off Thursday at the annual Walk of Fame red-carpet ceremony held on the Manhattan Beach Pier to unveil plaques honoring last year’s champions. Thursday’s ceremony celebrated 2024 winners Taryn (Kloth) Brasher, Kristen Nuss, Theo Brunner, and Trevor Crabb with two new plaques on the pier. The AVP Manhattan […]
The
2025 AVP Manhattan Beach Open festivities kicked off Thursday at the annual Walk
of Fame red-carpet ceremony held on the Manhattan Beach
Pier to unveil plaques honoring last year’s champions.
Thursday’s ceremony celebrated 2024 winners Taryn
(Kloth) Brasher, Kristen Nuss, Theo Brunner,
and Trevor Crabb with two new plaques on the pier.
The AVP Manhattan Beach
Open, widely celebrated as the “Grandaddy of Them All,” is the most prestigious professional beach volleyball tournament in the
country. It is being held on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier and will run through Sunday, August
17.
The tournament showcases the pinnacle of beach volleyball talent, featuring defending champions Taryn (Kloth) Brasher / Kristen Nuss (2024 Olympians) and
fellow 2024 Olympians Chase Budinger/Mike Evans, as well as the
second-to-last AVP event for legendary International Volleyball Hall of
Famer, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, four-time Olympian and seven-time Manhattan Beach Open winner Phil Dalhausser.
The tournament began on Thursday with a qualifier, to be followed by the main draw competition Friday through Sunday.
AVP Tournament Information
General admission to the Manhattan Beach Open is free but fans can
select from a variety of ticket options for an elevated experience. Get
more information on tickets and ticket sales – as well as brackets and schedules – by visiting the MBO by AVP website.
Note that multiple streets and parking lots will be closed during and after the tournament.
Parking lot closures include:
Lower pier parking lots closed 8/8-8/20
Upper pier parking lots closed 8/15-8/20
Street closures include:
Manhattan Beach Blvd. west of Ocean Drive to the MB Pier closed 8/11-8/20
Ocean Drive between 11th Street and 12th Street closed 8/15-8/17
Manhattan Beach Blvd. west of Manhattan Avenue to the MB Pier closed 8/15-8/17
