Beach

The Gulf Coast Region offers the area's premier beach volleyball tournaments.

Gulf Coast Region's 2008 Beach Volleyball Series rocks the surf

(July 6, 2008) - The 2008 beach series is well under way. Sign up today for the next event in this series of tournaments on the world-class beaches of the Gulf Coast Region!

Gulf Shores, AL - May 17. Map. | Results/photos.
Panama City, FL - June 14. Map. | Results/photo.
Pensacola Beach, FL - June 28. Map.
Gulfport, MS junior + adult tournament - July 12. Map. Directions: From I-10 coming from east or west, turn south at the Loraine Cowan Road exit. Turn right on Seaway Road. Turn left at big water tower and sign for The Dock.
Gulf Shores, AL - Aug. 2 grand championships. Map.

The Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball is sponsoring this inaugural series. The goal is to grow the game indoors and out. A promotional one-page flier includes additional information. Junior divisions of 12, 14, 16 and 18 will be offered for boys and girls, with an additional female 20-and-under division. Adult divisions are planned for the future.

A challenge to school athletic departments: "We're issuing a special challenge to the athletic departments of area high schools," says Philip Bryant, commissioner of the Gulf Coast Region. "We will award a substantial donation to the athletic program with the most athletes in the tournament."

This new series has been six years in the making. The region has procured excellent equipment for these tournaments. Like all USAV-sanctioned events, the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series will offer high-level competition, well-run events and the opportunity to play in refereed games according to the official rules of volleyball as played in the Olympics.

Junior beach registration: The region is offering a special, less-expensive beach membership rate for this series. Forms for the series include:

Adult beach series registration form. - Required for the July 12, 2008 tourney in Gulfport, MS.
Medical release form - All junior players must provide a medical release form, signed by their parents and with full contact information.
Individual membership form - BEACH - All players and officials in this officially sanctioned tournament series must be USA Volleyball members.
Registration form and brochure - Includes waiver to be signed by parent/guardian.
Player info sheet and day-of-tournament checklist - Includes day-of-tournament schedule.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available: Sponsorship opportunities are available for the series. Interested parties should contact the region office (call 251-981-4746 or email worldbb@gulftel.com) for a sponsorship packet.

A significant milestone for Gulf Coast volleyball: "This new beach series has been six years in the making," Bryant says. "It's a very big deal. We plan to offer high-level beach play that is fun for everyone.

"But make no mistake. These tournaments will be tough to win. The best players will all come out for it. We expect junior athletes from all over the country to participate. We look forward to hosting teams from other regions who want to test their mettle on the sand against the best volleyball athletes in the Gulf Coast Region."

The region's goal is to host the 2014 Junior Olympic Beach Championships of USA Volleyball, Bryant says.

"This will just be a fantastic new series," says Commissioner Bryant, "and a significant milestone in the growth of the sport of volleyball along the Gulf Coast."

Panama City June 14 tournament results

(June 18, 2008) - Deanna Vogler and Brooke Carpenter took first place in the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series tournament in Panama City, FL, on June 14. The tournament is one of four tournaments to qualify for the Grand Championships in Gulf Shores, AL on Aug. 2. The girls already qualified for a spot with a second-place finish in the Gulf Shores tournament earlier this summer. The 2008 Beach Volleyball Series is presented by the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball. See full results for Panama City tournament.

Deanna Vogler and Brooke Carpenter, champions of the 2008 Beach Volleyball Series in Panama City, FL, pose at the site of their triumph.

Gulf Shores May 17 tournament results and photos

(June 12, 2008) - The May 17 Beach Volleyball Series event was a historic occasion for the Gulf Coast Region.

Under a clear crisp blue sky in Gulf Shores, AL, the Gulf Coast Region hosted its first-ever beach tournament. This first stop of the region's Beach Volleyball Series hosted teams from three states. Some of the best junior players along the northern Gulf Coast competed to be crowned champion of this inaugural event. See full results for Gulf Shores May 17 tournament.

The day began with National Beach Official Crystal Lewis from Panama City, FL, conducting a beach rules and scorekeeping clinic. Crystal also held a strategy session that assisted the younger players in identifying tactics and skills of the beach game that they can develop and will see from our Olympic players in China later this summer.

Teams competed in pool play, then they were seeded for a single-elimination tournament.

This historical volleyball event in the Gulf Coast Region will conclude with the Grand Championships on Aug. 2 in Gulf Shores, AL. Find a partner and join the fun!

Players at the inaugural Gulf Shores beach tourney.

Players at the inaugural Gulf Shores tournament made history and had a great day in the sand and the sun, kicking off the Gulf Coast Region's 2008 Beach Volleyball Series.

Brooke Carpenter makes a pass out of the net while partner Deanna Vogler sets up for the attack.

In the 16/18 division, champions were Brett/Brett (right), followed by second-place team Carpenter/Vogler (left).

In the 14s division, champions Caitlin Chapman and Emily Brooks (from left) defeated the team of Sarah Litteken and Sarah Bunch in the finals.

National beach official Crystal Lewis instructs players at the beginning of the day of beach play. Players received instruction in officiating and also in beach tactics and skills.