Hermosa Beach, CA - The 29th AAU Beach Volleyball National Championships will return to Hermosa Beach this week, with competition taking place on both sides of the Hermosa Beach Pier July 21st through 24th.  Athletes from 40 states and four territories will compete in pool play and then playoffs the the first three days, with national championship games taking place in the six age divisions on the the final day, July 24th.
 
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a multi-sport governing body founded in 1888, first sanctioned beach volleyball in 1957 for an adult tournament in Manhattan Beach.  The junior program, the first in the United States, was begun in 1994, two years prior to beach volleyball’s official debut in the Olympic Games.  The AAU Southern Pacific Volleyball Committee (SPVC) was formed to give youth athletes an opportunity to play beach volleyball in a comprehensive national program. 
 
The first AAU Beach Volleyball National Championship took place in San Pedro in 1994, the second in Manhattan Beach in 1995.  Hermosa Beach played host for the next 24 years, inspiring other organizations to launch junior tournaments. Los Angeles County Covid restrictions forced the iconic event to move to Chula Vista in 2020 and Huntington Beach in 2021.
 
Since its inception in 1994, the SPVC traveled the country partnering with multiple organizations in order to develop the sport.  The AAU and SPVC have also filled a pivotal role in high school and international development of the sport, and paid witness to multiple accomplished players moving onto collegiate and Olympic competition. 
 
The AAU National Championships is one of the prestigious “Triple Crown” events of junior beach volleyball.  The first “Triple Crown” winner was NCAA champion and AVP sensation Zana Muno (2012), who won with three different partners.  The team of Lindsay Sparks and Abby Van Winkle, also NCAA champions, won together in 2014.
 
Before opening play on Thursday, July 21st, the AAU Beach National Player of the Year Award will be presented.  This coveted award has been handed out since 2001, with such standout recipients as USA Olympic star Taylor Sander (2008), AVP standout Sara Hughes (2011) and the 91st Sullivan Award winner Kathryn Plummer (2016).  Last year's winner was Mabyn Thomas of Southlake, Texas, who has committed to play at the University of Southern California.  Hermosa Beach native Zana Muno, who was named Player of the Year in 2013, is the only athlete ever to win both a “Triple Crown” and a “POY”.  
 
On Sunday, July 24th, along with medal ceremonies for each division, the Dr. Roger J. Goudy Award will be presented to the top performing beach volleyball club.  Last year's winners were MB Sand (Manhattan Beach), led by director and former pro beach star Patty Dodd. 
 
Ways for volleyball fans to follow the event: 
 
• Championship games will be broadcast on July 24th. Dubbed “Championship Sanday™” by media partner Athletes Go Live. Each championship game will be broadcast and available to watch for free: 
https://athletesgolive.com/AAUJuniorNationBeachVolleyball2022  
 
• Pool play and playoffs:
https://www.volleyballlife.com/tournament/4959
 
• Link to videos for Dr. Goudy Award, Player of the Year and Triple Crown:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5DhorxB4n2TOj6DuuEuFToUbhXPl7YVm