2005 AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by Bud Light: Pro Beach Volleyball LIVE on NBC

The Manhattan Beach Open presented by Bud Light is the 4th stop of the 2005 AVP Nissan Championship Series with LIVE coverage on NBC. The Women’s Finals will air at 4:30 pm EST on Saturday August 20th. The Men’s Finals will air at 4:30 pm EST on Sunday August 21st. Log on to http://AVP.com for more information.

Gold Medalists Misty May and Kerri Walsh enter Manhattan Beach having won seven titles in 2005. Their most fierce competition has come from 2004 Bronze Medalist Elaine Youngs and partner Rachel Wacholder. Six times in 2005 these teams have battled in the finals with the Golden Girls beating Youngs and Wacholder in four of the meetings. However, last weekend on Live TV from Huntington Beach, Youngs and Wacholder defeated May and Walsh in straight sets. A major rivalry has erupted and debates are already underway as to who will have the upper hand in Manhattan Beach.

As Manhattan Beach is the fourth of five AVP Championship events, several questions fuel the pre-event hype. Will May and Walsh even the AVP Championship Series with a win in Manhattan? Will Youngs and Wacholder grab their third AVP Championship Series title? Or will another AVP Women’s team win Manhattan and establish themselves as a force to be dealt with in 2005 AVP Championship Series?

The AVP Men saw the return of the legend in Huntington as 44 year old and three-time gold medal winner Karch Kiraly and partner Mike Lambert ran the table last weekend. Kiraly captured his record 148 career title while Lambert earned his sixth in the past year and a half. With each victory Kiraly adds to his legendary status as he resets the records for the most career championships and oldest player to win. Kiraly & Lambert have joined Matt Fuerbringer & Casey Jennings, Olympian Stein Metzger & Jake Gibb, Nick Lucena & Phil Dalhausser, Olympians Jeff Nygaard & Dax Holdren, and Lambert & John Hyden in the 2005 winners circle.

Tune in as more than 150 of the top professional beach volleyball athletes descend into Southern California for the AVP Manhattan Beach Open presented by Bud Light. The Women’s side features 2004 Olympic gold medal winners May and Walsh, and 2004 Olympic bronze medal winners Holly McPeak and Youngs. The men’s side is highlighted by three-time Olympic gold medal winner Kiraly, AVP MVP Lambert and 2000 Olympic gold medalists Eric Fonoimoana and Dain Blanton.

The competition will be fierce as $250,000 is on the line in Manhattan Beach.

Watch and Win: Catch all the action LIVE on NBC for your chance to win a 42” Flat Panel TV. Log on to http://avp.com for details.

The AVP will be LIVE on NBC throughout the summer. After Manhattan Beach, the Championship Series Finale takes place in Chicago with Live Coverage on September 3rd at 4:30pm EST and September 4th at 1:30pm EST.

Log on to http://avp.com for more information.