VIA CABLE TELEVISION, THE EXCITING WORLD OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL HAD STARTED TO TAKE HOLD IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY THAT OF BRAZIL, WHEREUPON VOLLEYBALL’S GLOBAL SANCTIONING BODY, THE FIVB (FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE VOLLEYBALL) HOSTED THE WORLD’S FIRST TRUE INTERNATIONAL BEACH VOLLEYBALL MATCHES. IN ATTENDANCE WERE SOME OF THE AVP’S MARQUE PLAYERS.

THE AVP SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

WHAT STARTED AS A PURE, INNOCUOUS GAME BORN ON THE BEACHES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOULD EVENTUALLY GRADUATE INTO AN ALL OUT INTERNATIONAL TUG OF WAR BETWEEN THE FIVB AND THE AVP, WITH BEACH VOLLEYBALL’S FUTURE DANGLING IN THE BALANCE. CAUGHT BETWEEN WERE ITS PLAYERS AND FANS WHO SPONSORS FEARED, ONCE FED UP, COULD JUST AS EASILY CHANGE THE CHANNEL AND WATCH SOMETHING ELSE. LOYALTIES WERE CALLED INTO QUESTION. EGOS WOULD BE BRUISED.