
AVP Huntington Beach 2025: Where $40K Dreams Were Made (and Broken)
The Stage Is Set
When the AVP Heritage Series hit the playing court at Huntington Beach this past weekend, it wasn't just another tournament – it was a career-defining moment for several teams. With single elimination format and league qualification on the line, every rally carried the weight of an entire season. Just ask Seain and Brian, who had to watch from the free zone as their professional futures played out in front of them.
The weekend belonged to Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, who dominated with exceptional attack hits rarely seen on the AVP tour. "Andy's service was a cheat code," observed coach Brandon Joyner, whose team Logan and Hagen secured an impressive third-place finish. "Not only was his service powerful, but he was executing perfect attack hits with complete control."
The Most Expensive Rally in Beach Volleyball History
"I can't watch this," muttered Sean as he walked to the other side of Huntington Beach pier. His partner Brian, meanwhile, couldn't look away. Their fate in the 2025 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball League hung on a single match they weren't even playing in – Troy and Theo versus Chase and Miles.
"It was the most valuable volleyball rally of their lives, and they had to watch it from the free zone," explains Brandon Joyner, who witnessed the drama unfold. As Chase and Miles mounted their comeback in the deciding set, Brian's cheers grew louder with each point. When the final whistle blew, Brian tackled Seain in celebration on the playing surface – they had just made the league without touching a ball.
Image: AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Facebook Page
Dominance Defined: The Benesh-Partain Masterclass
The real story of the AVP Huntington Beach 2025 was the sheer dominance of Andy Benesh and Miles Partain. In the finals, they delivered a masterclass that left spectators and opponents alike in awe: 21-14, 21-14. The statistics tell an almost impossible story – Benesh recorded six blocks and four service aces in just two sets.
"When Andy's executing his service with that Wilson ball, he has complete control," Joyner explains. "I can count at least four clean service aces where opponents weren't even moving. The ball was just getting to the playing surface fast."
Image: LATimes - Lisa Dietrich
Three Keys to Professional Success
For those looking to elevate their game, the tournament revealed three critical elements of modern beach volleyball:
- "The time for soft attack hits is over," Joyner emphasizes about service technique. "If you're not forcing the receiving team to take a minimum of two steps or execute a dive, you're not winning that rally."
- Trust your attack hit: "Have an A and B option, but commit 100% to your A as long as you can."
- Defensive tactics: "You have to be willing to position yourself where the offense might score easily just to read tendencies."
The NCAA Revolution: Youth vs Experience
The age divide between men's and women's beach volleyball has never been more apparent than at AVP Huntington Beach 2025. "If we had collegiate men's volleyball," joked Taylor Crabb during a sideline conversation, "neither of us would be in the playing formation."
The statistics tell the story: in the men's competition, only a handful of players under 30 – Andy Benesh, Miles Partain, and Wyatt – are dominating the sport. Meanwhile, the women's competition showcases the power of NCAA programming, with recent graduates like Megan Kraft making an immediate impact at the professional level.
The Road Ahead: AVP League 2025
The excitement of Huntington Beach sets the stage for an innovative AVP League schedule, commencing May 23rd in Palm Beach. But the most anticipated competition might be the night matches planned for Central Park, bringing professional beach volleyball under the lights in Manhattan's heart.
2025 Competition Schedule:
- Palm Beach (May 23)
- San Diego
- Miami
- East Hampton
- Los Angeles
- Austin
- Dallas
- Chicago (Season Finale)
Looking Forward
As the competition concludes at Huntington Beach, the 2025 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball League is taking shape with its strongest roster yet. From Andy Benesh's service mastery to the drama of last-minute qualifications, this tournament set the tone for what promises to be a groundbreaking season.
For aspiring players, the message is clear: aggressive service execution, committed attack hits, and tactical defense are your keys to success. For spectators, the combination of established veterans and rising NCAA talent promises an exciting season of world-class beach volleyball.