AVCA Beach Volleyball Championship April 17-19 at Gulf Place

AVCA Beach Volleyball Championship April 17-19 at Gulf Place

A budding mecca for collegiate beach volleyball, the city of Gulf Shores and Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events will again host the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Small College Beach Volleyball Championship April 17-19 at Gulf Shores Public Beach as a prelude to the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship May 1-3.
The AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships is the largest collegiate beach volleyball event in the country with 36 teams competing in nearly 500 total matches during the championship weekend. Admission to the matches is free.
The event brings together the top beach teams in the country from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA. A champion is crowned in each division along with recognition of All-America/All-Tournament teams. The
championships also include a Pairs Challenge event for participating teams.
“The city has made a name in the beach volleyball community, and it was a great partner when the AVCA held the first collegiate national championships there from 2012-15, just before the NCAA took over,’’ said Dr. Jaime Gordon, AVCA CEO. “We look forward to continuing that partnership in April.”
The AVCA field includes 18 Division II schools, 9 Division III schools and 6 NAIA schools playing on 20 championship courts and four practice courts at Gulf Place.
“Our journey to become a desirable destination for collegiate beach volleyball started with hosting the AVCA before the sport became NCAA-sanctioned, and for that, we are forever grateful,” said Michelle Russ, Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events VP.