Volleyball nets largest headlines in 2010
Redondo Beach native Sean Rosenthal won the prestigious Manhattan Beach Open and the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball championships. Photo Ironically, the South Bay sports story of the decade had its final chapter written in 2010 when the financially troubled Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) filed for bankruptcy in October. It wasn’t long after Manhattan Beach native Mike Dodd took over as new AVP Commissioner in the spring that changes began to unfold. The tour was reduced in size with seven of the 12 events being held in California. NIVEA was named as the tour’s new title sponsor, yet there was speculation from players and fans alike regarding the stability of the association. The top seeded teams of Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers and Jennifer Kessy/April Ross won the AVP NIVEA Tour Hermosa Beach Open in July, but shortly before the tour was to return to the South Bay for the sport’s marquee event – the Manhattan Beach Open — the rug was pulled out from beneath the players’ feet. The Golden Anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Open was tarnished when the AVP announced it was cancelling the remaining five events of its tour. With the assistance of the California Beach…
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