4/14/2010

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SIESTA KEY, Fla. - The second annual Fiesta on Siesta Key, returns this Saturday, April 17, 2010 in Siesta Key, Fla.  The event last year was one of the largest collegiate volleyball competitions ever held, and the event this year could prove to be even bigger.

"Preparations for the event have gone well, now we're just waiting the teams to arrive," Fiesta Co-Director David Carstenson said. "Beginning at ten on Saturday morning we'll have twenty courts full of action...with the some of the best collegiate indoor volleyball student-athletes on the beach."

The Fiesta on Siesta Key is once again a number of beach/sand volleyball tournaments in one. The Fiesta will be comprised of the 3rd Annual SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Championships and the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge.

Six schools from the SEC are contesting their third, unofficial beach championship" said tournament co-director Tom Collett.  "The coaches of the SEC have been on the leading edge of the push to make beach/sand volleyball an NCAA sanctioned sport."

Student-Athletes from schools in Division I, NAIA and even Junior/Community Colleges will compete in the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge at the Fiesta.

"This year there will also be a special "Seniors-Only" event for athletes that have exhausted their college eligibility" said Fiesta Co-Director David Carstenson.  Carstenson added: "Working in cooperation with CBS College Sports, athletes in this division will be highlighted in a national television broadcast, and the tandem that wins will have the opportunity to potentially play in an Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) event."

"We're excited about returning to Siesta Key for the Fiesta" added event co-director Tom Collett.  "The Sarasota Visitors Convention Bureau has supported our efforts to contest a first class event, and local businesses have stepped up as well."  Collett continued  "We're thrilled to have Gilligan's Island Bar as one of our sponsor/partners. They will host our Friday night Welcome Reception, and the Post-Event Celebration on Saturday night."

In addition, to help create a truly Fiesta atmosphere, a Beach Dodgeball Competition, for which proceeds benefit a local charity, has been added.  The event, organized by SOCO Sports, is open to the general public. The Beach Dodgeball event will begin at 12 noon on Saturday.

"The Fiesta on Siesta Key will be a festive day for student-athletes, coaches and fans too!" Carstenson said.

Third-Annual SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Championship

University of Alabama                 Louisiana State University

University of Florida                    University of South Carolina

University of Georgia                  University of Tennessee

Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge

Florida Gulf Coast University       Notre Dame University                State College of Florida

University of Central Florida         Florida Atlantic University           S.C.A.D.

University of North Florida           University of Miami                     Webber International University

University of South Florida          Stetson University         

Jacksonville University                St. Petersburg College

FIESTA ON SIESTA KEY w SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Team Practices: 12noon-7pm

Fiesta on Siesta Key Welcome Reception

            Gilligan's Island Bar  8pm
 

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Fiesta on Siesta Key

            Pool Play begins at 10am

Fiesta Beach Dodgeball Competition (Open to the Public)

            Begins at 12noon

Fiesta on Siesta Key Event Celebration

            Gilligan's Island Bar  (Approximately 4pm, or 30 minutes after the final championship match)

--www.fiestaonsiestakey.com--

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