Hot off the success of beach volleyball at the Summer Olympics, the American Volleyball Professional tour hits North Avenue Beach this weekend.
But let’s say you’re new to the sport. Let’s say you got hooked during the Olympics and now you want to see it up close and personal. And let’s say you’re going to hang out at the beach this weekend and want to know what to watch.
My, you’re a talkative bunch.
That’s why we’ve asked Wilson the volleyball from the movie “Cast Away” to answer your questions.
Please, no shouting.
You, on the bus. You’re up. Wilson, the microphone is yours.
How many compete? (Silence).
How many compete?
Sorry, is this thing on? There we go. There will be 150 competitors competing. The event has a $150,000 purse. Who said you can’t make money at the beach?
Gold medalists Misty May and Kerri Walsh will be there. What’s the latest on them?
Well, Walsh’s bio wound up being one of the five most downloaded pages on nbcolympics.com during the Olympics. Then the two of them appeared on “The Tonight Show” earlier this week. Jay Leno asked them why other sports drew poorly but beach volleyball drew huge crowds. Walsh replied, “Can you blame them?”
And don’t forget: They won this event last year.
Anyone else?
Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs, the bronze medalists, are scheduled to compete. Show some love for the bronzies, please.
If I catch the volleyball bug, what’s next?
Well, don’t cough on me. Oh that never gets old, or maybe it does and I just haven’t noticed. This is it. This competition marks the final Open tournament of the year, and the last chance for a few teams and players to qualify for the specialty events in Las Vegas and Honolulu.
They have beaches in Vegas?
They have everything in Vegas. Next.
Any other names worth watching?
Top athletes on the men’s side include 2000 Olympic gold medalists Eric Fonoimoana, Dain Blanton and three-time Olympic gold medalist Karch Kiraly. Dan Schultz and Derrick Boyle from Loyola Chicago also are competing.
How do I watch?
The ticket link off www.avptour.com says only general admission seats remain for Saturday and Sunday. But even if you don’t get inside, it’s still cool to hang out. It’s a major social scene down there. Or that’s what I hear.
Who told you that? A friend.
I’m intrigued. Is there a way I can get involved locally? No.
Really?
Just kidding. The Park District has, like, 200 courts along Lake Michigan. North Avenue Beach has 40 courts. Montrose Beach has a bunch too. Or you can string up your own net at home, dump a few tons of sand in your living room and play at home.
Can I get a schedule for the weekend?
Qualifying rounds go from 8 a.m. to
6 p.m. Thursday. Friday’s main competition is from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with Saturday’s matches going from 9 a.m to 6 p.m..
I’m not slogging it out to North Avenue Beach. Is it on TV?
You’re lazy, and I love you for it. Sunday’s men’s and women’s finals air on NBC from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Chris Courtney (cdcourtney@tribune.com)
