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AVP, the biggest and longest-running professional volleyball league, will play matches in an NBA arena for the first time this weekend in Inglewood.
A crew picked up 16 dump truck loads from a quarry in Palm Springs, delivering 300 tons of sand into the Intuit Dome for AVP League matches on Friday and Saturday.
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The crew constructed a wooden sandbox barrier to protect the arena floor. The sand, pre-washed and compacted upon arrival, was dumped into an 18-inch wooden frame, with elements such as hospitality added to help remove debris from the air.
A worker prepares sand at the Intuit Dome ahead of an AVP tournament. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“If all goes well, it's about a six- to eight-hour build from start to finish with the court,” said Logan Dan, head of operations for AVP Professional Beach Volleyball Tours. “It takes about six hours to build the court specifically.”
Once the event concludes, the crew dismantles the frame and removes the sand using equipment that looks like a modified small tractor.
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“We break the box open and use a skid steer with a box broom attachment — it sweeps up a lot of the sand,” Dan said.
Although indoor beach volleyball is unusual, the AVP’s new league model — introduced last year — has made it possible to bring tournaments to unconventional venues. The league is investing in creative ways to grow accessibility and exposure.
One of many trucks makes its way through the Intuit Dome to deliver sand in preparation of an AVP league event. Workers slowly cover the floor of the Intuit Dome with sand. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
“What that has allowed us to do is to bring volleyball into different areas that it might not be," Dan said. "For instance, we’re going to New York next week, and we’ll be putting a court in Central Park, right in Wollman Rink, where they normally have ice skating in the winter and pickleball in the summer.”
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Conditions for beach volleyball differ significantly between outdoor and indoor play. Sun, wind and heat heavily influence outdodor players' performance and court dynamics. Indoors, the environment remains cooler and still, free from elements such as whipping winds or scorching sun.
“It’s so close and loud and intimate that it creates that very cool environment,” Logan said.
AVP declined to disclose what it costs to build courts in unconventional locations such as the Intuit Dome.
Logan said AVP staff hope fans will enjoy a fun, family-oriented community environment that features more seats close to the action than a typical beach volleyball court.
Workers cover the floor of the Intuit Dome with sand ahead of an AVP league event. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The schedule
AVP League matches start Friday at 5 p.m. with the L.A. Launch playing the San Diego Smash in the first match.
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Doors open Saturday at 4 p.m., with the Palm Beach Passion playing the L.A. Launch during the first match.
Tickets started at $43.50 apiece.
What's at stake
The AVP League format differs from traditional tournaments. A men's duo and women's duo represent a city and their combined records determine position in league standings. At the end of league play, one of eight cities will be crowned the AVP League champion. The playoffs feature a postseason tournament seeded based on each duo's record during the season. The tournament splits into male and female competition groups, with the winning duo in each group earning the top prize.
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The top two teams in the league standings are the L.A. Launch and the Palm Beach Passion. L.A. Launch is undefeated, while Palm Beach Passion is 6–2.
Who is playing in Inglewood?
Four of the league's eight city teams will be represented. The lineup includes numerous Olympians, USC alums and a former NBA player.
No. 1 L.A. Launch
Men: Hagen Smith and Logan Webber | Women: Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft
No. 2 Palm Beach
Men: Trevor Crabb and Phil Dalhausser | Women: Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson
No. 6 San Diego Smash
Men: Chase Budinger and Miles Evans | Women: Abby Van Winkle and Geena Urango
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No. 8 Miami Mayhem
Men: Chaim Schalk and James Shaw | Women: Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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