The AVP Crocs Tour headed to Huntington Beach California this past weekend. Just like the last three stops, SolesUnited and AVP Cares partnered to donate shoes to the Boys and Girls Club of America and educate those in attendance on the lack of footwear that plagues over 300 million people around the world. Take a look at this video to learn more:

And – as usual – we have Ryan Mariano, reporting live from the event. It was Ryan’s return to his hometown – so I’m sure he was excited about the event. Here he is:

Home Sweet Home! The AVP Crocs Tour stopped in Huntington Beach, CA this past weekend! I got to sleep in my own nice big bed, shower in my own shower, eat at home, and spend the weekend with my loved ones – life doesn’t get better than that as a touring professional athlete. Memorial Day weekend brought loads of people to the beach to surf, sun bathe, and, most importantly, watch some volleyball. The sunny, warm, breezy weather and exciting matches featuring many hometown favorites made for a great weekend. This tournament featured a 32-team draw, with 8 teams coming out of the qualifier held on Thursday.

Thursday was a standard qualifier day! Single elimination matches create a tension no one can explain, win or go home! Over 70 teams battled it out on the Men’s side and over 50 on the women’s side all for a shot at the show. Top seeds held tough advancing to Friday where they try their luck once again!

Perhaps the most exciting news on Friday came from off the sand – Kerri Walsh and Casey Jennings had their baby!  A baby boy named Joseph – we’ll have to watch out for him to hit the tour in 2027!  Ty Loomis and Casey Patterson, the 12 seed, brought some excitement on the courts by upsetting Nick Lucena and Brad Keenan the 5 seed Friday afternoon. The women’s side provided a couple exciting upsets – Jennifer Fopma and Brittany Hochevar managed to upset the Lindquist Sisters while Whitney Pavlik and Stacy Rouwenhorst battled to upset Dianne DeNecochea and Carrie Dodd.

Saturday featured a lot of great matches with only a few surprises – Ty Loomis and Casey Patterson continued their great play upsetting yet another top seed in John Mayer and Jeff Nygaard 4th seed and advancing to Sunday. On the women’s side, the top seeds played to their ranking winning decisively on Saturday (no team outside the top 8 played on Sunday morning).

Things were back to normal this fine Sunday! Phil and Todd beat Jake and Rosie to win their fourth tournament of the year and giving Jake and Rosie their fourth second place of the year. On the women’s side EY and Nicole met Kessy and Ross in the final for the fourth time this year, EY and Nicole won for their 4th victory of the season as well.

Though I will miss playing at home (where else do I have a chance to pet a yellow snake going on a walk with its’ owner?), I look forward to our stop this week in Atlanta, Georgia.

I’m Out,
Ryan

The AVP Crocs Tour is in Atlanta this weekend. If you’re in the area, check it out and be sure to stop by and say hi to the Crocs team members that are out there working hard to bring you the products you love!