SIESTA KEY - Rachel Meringer sunk her feet in the sugary white sand and charged the net. The volleyball twisted in the morning sea breeze, slowly looping its way out of bounds. But Rachel was not about to give up a cheap point.  The 11-year-old Sarasota girl extended her arms and smacked the multi-colored sphere over the outstretched hands of her two opponents. Rachel smiled and returned to her position, ready for the next serve.  It was going to be a long, hot day for the record number of teams competing in the USA Volleyball Florida Region junior series; a sacrifice Meringer was more than willing to make if it meant taking home a much-coveted medal.

About 175 teams consisting of players 18 and younger participated in Sunday's "Dig the Beach" volleyball tournament at Siesta Public Beach, an event organizers say has gained popularity since coming to Southwest Florida several years ago.  "I'm humbled," said Christopher Colgan, president of Exclusive Sports Marketing, the Boca Raton-based business hosting the series. "This is the most beautiful beach in Florida."

SIESTA KEY, Fla. – The Fiesta on Siesta Key, one of the largest collegiate sand volleyball competitions ever held, returns for its second year on April 17, 2010, in Siesta Key, Fla., presented by Ultimate Beach Volleyball Promotions, LLC.

Coaches from nearly 20 schools in the Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, BIG EAST, Atlantic Sun and other leagues already have committed to compete in the event. The Fiesta on Siesta Key was one of the driving forces in the push to add sand volleyball to the NCAA’s list of Emerging Sports for Women, beginning with the 2011 season.

CHICAGO, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Corona Light Wide Open, one of the nation's leading grassroots beach volleyball tours, will bring its popular beach volleyball festival to nine US cities in 2010, opening with a May 15-16 stop at South Beach Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  Created in part by volleyball legend Karch Kiraly, who will be the Chief Volleyball Officer for the 2010 tour, the Corona Light Wide Open will hit some of the nation's most legendary beaches and popular beach volleyball venues.  The inaugural tour in 2009 drew more than 3,500 beach volleyball players competing in up to 16 different divisions of play.