New Volleyball Tour Coming to Town

A new beach volleyball tour—the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series—will be holding its national championship in Hermosa Beach this fall, according to USA Volleyball, the sport's national governing body.

The three-event series will start with the Manhattan Beach Open on Aug. 26-28, followed by a tournament in Miami Beach, FL, on Sept. 16-18.

The series is scheduled to come to Hermosa on Sept. 23-25.

"I am pleased and excited to begin this relationship with Cuervo as the title sponsor of our Pro Beach Series," USA Volleyball Chief Executive Director Doug Beal said in a statement released Wednesday. "This is exactly the kind of partnership we have been looking for as we develop high-profile, quality beach events. Cuervo has a rich history in our sport, and to open up our Series in Manhattan Beach is only fitting. USA Volleyball is committed to grow our beach involvement at all levels."

The cumulative prize purse for the tour will be $500,000, and it plans to expand in 2012 to include up to seven events hosted in the United States.

The Association of Volleyball Professionals traditionally had provided a strong domestic professional tour for American athletes last year due to financial problems.

Since then, and as the 2012 Olympic games approach, the AVP has left a hole in the sport of beach volleyball waiting to be filled as it no longer provides a tour, giving athletes opportunities to play. 

But the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series plans "to help the sport return to prominence not only for the players but also for fans," said Brian Radics, Jose Cuervo brand director.

"Given the Jose Cuervo brand’s deep history in professional beach volleyball, and as one of the sport’s first corporate sponsors, this just feels right for everyone involved," Radics said in a statement.

Jose Cuervo became beach volleyball’s first major sponsor in 1978.