What Is 2014 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

Overview

The 2014 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour marked the 28th competitive season for the Association of Volleyball Professionals, showcasing elite-level beach volleyball across the United States. Organized by Pro Beach Volleyball, LLC, the tour aimed to elevate the sport's visibility and provide professional athletes with a structured competition circuit.

Featuring both men's and women's divisions, the 2014 season spanned four months, beginning in May and concluding in August. The tour attracted top American talent, including Olympians and FIVB World Tour competitors, all vying for ranking points and a share of the $1.2 million total prize purse.

• 12 tournaments were held across the U.S., including stops in Huntington Beach, Chicago, and New York City, each drawing large crowds and media attention.
• The Manhattan Beach Open, held in August, remained the tour's most prestigious event, with Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal claiming the men's title.
• Women's competition was headlined by Kerri Walsh Jennings and Brooke Sweat, who teamed up for select events during the season.
• Each tournament followed a double-elimination format, with 32 teams in the main draw and 16 in the qualifier rounds.
• The AVP introduced enhanced live streaming in 2014, allowing fans to watch matches online via the AVP website and partner platforms.

How It Works

The AVP Pro Tour operates as a series of standalone tournaments where teams earn points based on performance, contributing to year-end rankings and qualification for major events. Each stop follows a standardized structure to ensure fairness and consistency across locations.

• Qualification: Teams not automatically seeded must compete in a qualifier round the day before the main draw. Top 16 teams advance to the main tournament bracket.
• Seeding: Based on AVP rankings and prior performance, the top 8 teams receive direct entry into the main draw’s upper bracket.
• Match Format: All matches are best-of-three sets, with the first two sets played to 21 points and the third to 15.
• Scoring: Rally scoring is used, meaning a point is awarded on every serve, regardless of which team served. Matches typically last 45–60 minutes.
• Prize Distribution: Total purse was $1.2 million, with individual tournament prizes ranging from $30,000 to $100,000.
• Ranking Points: Winners earn 300 points, crucial for qualifying for the AVP Championships and international events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 AVP Tour with other major beach volleyball circuits:

While the AVP Tour had fewer events than international circuits like the FIVB, its concentrated summer schedule allowed for deeper domestic engagement. The AVP also focused more on American athletes, whereas the FIVB and Swatch Series featured broader international participation.

Why It Matters

The 2014 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour played a crucial role in sustaining professional beach volleyball in the United States, providing a competitive platform during a transitional period for the sport. Its structure influenced future tours and helped maintain fan interest leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympics.

• The tour gave Olympic hopefuls like Kerri Walsh Jennings critical match experience ahead of the 2016 Rio Games.
• Increased live streaming expanded the AVP’s audience, reaching over 500,000 unique viewers online.
• Partnerships with Nike and Monster Energy boosted sponsorship revenue and brand visibility.
• The AVP’s focus on family-friendly events helped grow grassroots participation in youth beach volleyball.
• Strong attendance at events like Manhattan Beach (25,000+) demonstrated the sport’s enduring appeal.
• The 2014 season laid groundwork for the AVP’s revival in 2015 after financial struggles in prior years.

Overall, the 2014 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour was a pivotal season that balanced athletic excellence with strategic growth, ensuring the sport remained visible and viable in the American sports landscape.