Viewfinder: AVP Huntington Beach Open

Sports Illustrated contributing photographer Robert Beck traveled to the shores of Huntington Beach, CA this past weekend to capture the action of the 18th annual AVP Beach Volleyball Open. Nick Lucena and Phil Dalhausser took home the men's title, while Emily Day and Brittany Hochevar took home a victory for the women's tournament.

SI Staff | May 8, 2017

Viewfinder: AVP Huntington Beach Open /

Viewfinder: AVP Huntington Beach Open

AVP Huntington Beach Open

AVP Huntington Beach Open

Riley and Maddison McKibbin

The McKibbin Brothers (Left) take on the Bomgren brothers in Thursday's all bro match. The Bomgrens took it in three.

Betsi Flint

Betsi Flint runs down a dig. Flint and partner Kelley Larsen have played in finals three times in the past two years.

Emily Day

Emily Day with a big spike.

Casey Patterson

Nobody digs with more flair than Casey Patterson.

Jeff Conover

AVP Tournament Director Jeff Conover (M) hands the goods over to men's champs Lucena (R) and Dalhausser (L).

John Hyden won a gold medal playing indoor volleyball... he's not bad on the beach either. Here he keeps his eye on the ball while jousting at the net.

Brittany Hochevar and Emily Day

Brittany Hochevar (L) and Emily Day are your 2017 AVP Huntington Beach Open champs!

Chris Frishman

Chase Frishman flat out for a dig in the first match on Friday.

John Hyden

Johnny Hyden had reached the semi finals in Huntington 11 straight times...doing so with five different partners. He had reached the finals in 7 straight!

Ryan Doherty and Johnny Hyden

Ryan Doherty (spiking) and teammate Johnny Hyden were playing their first AVP tournament together this weekend. Finishing second is not a bad way to start.

Ed Ratledge

Brittany Hochevar and Emily Day

Hochevar (Front) and Day pass some bubbly around after the big victory.

Mark Burik

Mark Burik with a big dig.

Brittany Hochevar and Emily Day

Brittany Hochevar puts the hammer down during her semi win with partner Emily Day. Day and Hochevar have played three times together on the AVP Tour finishing third once and first twice.

Jake Gibb

Jake Gibb pushes a shot past Avery Drost.

Nick Lucena

Nick Lucena with the seldom used "flipper" for a point in Sunday's mens semi final.

John Hyden

Johnny Hyden (R) had to play all four top seeds to reach the finals of this tournament.

Kelley Larsen

Kelley Larsen digs this ball. Kelley has never played any pro beach volleyball tournament with a partner other than Betsi Flint.

Ty Tramblie

Ty Tramblie passes a serve to Ty Loomis who moves into setting position.

Maddison McKibbin

Maddison McKibbin covers a lot of sand out here. This is just another one of his digs.

Nick Lucena

Nick Lucena went a long way to chase this ball down. He and Dalhausser turned it into a point en route to a two game sweep of Hyden/Doherty.

Nick Lucena

Nick Lucena makes a dig during the men's finals. He and Dalhausser have won 19 of their last twenty matches on the AVP tour.

Phil Dalhausser

Phil Dalhausser, in the middle dumping a shot past Ryan Doherty during the finals, is from Switzerland. He has won 49 AVP titles...in 15 different states. Today was his 50th AVP title!

Stafford Stick

Stafford Slick with a slam.

Phil Dalhausser

Phil Dalhausser with a big bang during his semi win. He and partner were playing their 35th AVP tournament together.

Published May 8, 2017

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