World Series Of Beach Volleyball Brings Top Pros To Long Beach
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The biggest names in beach volleyball are converging on Long Beach this weekend to compete in the World Series of Beach Volleyball.
The event kicked off Tuesday with qualifying rounds. Men's and women's finals take place on Sunday.
The tournament is a chance for local pros such as Torrance native Sean Rosenthal to play top competition in front of a home crowd.
"It's nice for us to be able to play at home." Rosenthal said.
The tournament carries added significance as both a World Tour event and an Olympic qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The two American two-man teams with the highest point totals from a dozen World Tour events will qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.
It's also a way to size-up competition from other countries.
"The U.S. is right there with all strongest countries," said McKay Smith, a pro volleyball player and Newport Beach native. "Sometimes volleyball takes a backseat to the bigger-name sports in the country, football, basketball, baseball, but people don't realize that we are competing with the highest of the highest."
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80's this weekend. Since the stadium blocks the wind, the court will be 10 to 15 degrees hotter.
Some 60,000 people are expected to attend this weekend. Other festivities include a concert featuring Adam Lambert. Generation admission is free. Premium tickets are on sale at http://www.wsobv.com/tickets.
