New York February 16, 2009:  The Bud Light Big Shot Volleyball Series, presented by Native Eyewear, will start the 2009 season with 3 Florida tournaments during March and April. Teams from throughout the East Coast will compete as they warm up for the 2009 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Top male and female doubles teams will compete for $9,000 cash prizes at the tournaments starting with the first event March 7-8 in Siesta Key followed by tournaments Clearwater Beach March 14-15 and April 18-19. Tournament play will start at 9 am with finals scheduled for 5 pm each day. Admission is free for all spectators.

The Big Shot Volleyball Series holds 35 events leading to the $6,000 Big Shot Championships every September in Atlantic City, NJ and the $5,000 AVPNext National Championships Oct. 17-18 in Clearwater Beach. The Siesta Key tournaments are sponsored by the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Top players in the Bud Light Big Shot Series include S. Carolina star Jake Elliott, who finished as high as 9th on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and Florida stars Mike DiPierro, Mark Van Zwieten, Bill Chenoweth who have all placed on the AVP Tour. Top women’s players include Clearwater’s Tara *** and Kim Whitney, the top team on the East Coast plus Siesta Key players Megan Wallin and Kristen Batt. Megan and Kristen qualified 4 items for the AVP in 2008 and played defending Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh and Misty May in their first match.

Separate divisions will be held for players of intermediate and novice levels on Saturday and Sunday. The $60 entry fee entitles players to a full day of tournament play, an official Bud Light Big Shot Volleyball t-shirt, and a chance to win merchandise prizes from tournament sponsors Native Eyewear Sunglasses, Venus USA, Rider Sandals, Vincere Sports, Dig Magazine, Sweet Tomatoes, Sixpak.com and Park and Sun Sports. The public can met the players every Saturday evening at the official Bud Light Player’s Party.

For further information and applications contact East End Volleyball at 631-728-0397 or www.eevb.net

About East End Volleyball
East End Volleyball has been organizing beach volleyball tournaments for 32 years since 1977. Based in the East End of Long Island, EEVB has grown into the largest beach volleyball series in the East End of the country with tournaments from Newport, RI to the Florida Keys. Sanctioned by AVPNext, the grass roots organization of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, EEVB runs over 35 events for over 3,000 players. Oympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhausser won 9 EEVB events on his way to Beijing.

Fact Sheet:
Event: $75000 Big Shot Volleyball Series

Florida Schedule:
March 7-8 $5,000 Bud Light AVPNext Kickoff, Siesta Key, Sarasota FL 
March 14-15 $4,000 Native Eyewear Big Shot Volleyball, Clearwater Beach, FL
April 18-19 $4,000 Rider Sandal Big Shot Volleyball, Clearwater Beach, FL
Oct. 10-11 $2,000 Rider Sandal Big Shot Volleyball, Clearwater Beach, FL 
Oct. 17-18- $5,000 AVPNext National Championships, Siesta Key, Sarasota FL
Time:
8 am to 6 pm Saturday for Men's & Women's Open, A, & B Divisions
9 am to 6 pm Sunday for Coed Open, A, & B, & Men's AA & B Divisions
Playoffs 4-6 pm each day
Cost: Free for spectators, $60/team
Prizes: $13,000 total will be awarded at the tournaments in the Open Division during March and April, $75,000 during the 2009 season. Additional prizes from Native Eyewear Sunglasses, Venus USA, Rider Sandals, Vincere Sports, Dig Magazine, Sweet Tomatoes, Sixpak.com and Park and Sun Sports will be awarded in the A and B Divisions.
Photos: Additional information and photos are available upon request.
Web Site: For further info go to www.eevb.net