Watch 2018 AVP Gold Series // New York City Open

The 2018 AVP Gold Series // New York City Open was an exciting beach volleyball tournament that featured some of the world's top players competing for a $300,000 prize purse. The event took place from June 7th to June 10th at the Hudson River Park Pier 25 in downtown Manhattan, where thousands of fans came out to watch the action up close.

The tournament featured both men's and women's divisions, with teams from all over the world competing against each other. In the women's division, top-ranked pairs such as April Ross and Alix Klineman, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Nicole Branagh, and Emily Day and Betsi Flint battled it out for a chance to be crowned champions. On the men's side, veterans such as Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena, Theo Brunner and Reid Priddy, and Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb faced off against up-and-coming stars like Chase Budinger and Casey Patterson.

The format of the tournament consisted of a double-elimination bracket, which meant that teams had to lose twice before being eliminated. This gave players a chance to bounce back from early losses and make a comeback in the later rounds. Each match was played to the best of three sets, with the first two sets being played to 21 points and the third set (if necessary) being played to 15 points.

One of the most exciting aspects of the tournament was the atmosphere at Pier 25. The venue was transformed into a beach volleyball paradise, complete with multiple courts, a giant scoreboard, and a DJ spinning tunes between matches. Fans were able to get up close to the action, with some lucky ones even snagging autographs and selfies with their favorite players.

Throughout the tournament, fans were treated to some incredible matches and unforgettable moments. One standout performance came from the young duo of Flint and Day, who shocked the crowd by beating Ross and Klineman in the winner's bracket final to secure a spot in the championship match. In the men's division, Dalhausser and Lucena showed their dominance by cruising through the winner's bracket without dropping a single set.

As the final day of competition rolled around, tensions were high as the remaining teams battled for the title of champion. In the women's final, Flint and Day faced off against Ross and Klineman in a rematch of their earlier match. Despite a valiant effort, Flint and Day were unable to overcome Ross and Klineman's firepower, and the two-time Olympic medalists claimed the victory in two sets.

In the men's final, Dalhausser and Lucena took on Brunner and Priddy in what was a highly anticipated match. The veteran duo of Dalhausser and Lucena proved to be too much for their opponents, as they captured the championship in two sets to claim their first AVP title of the season.

Overall, the 2018 AVP Gold Series // New York City Open was a thrilling event that showcased the best in beach volleyball talent. From record-breaking serves to jaw-dropping digs, fans were treated to some of the most exciting action in the sport. With the AVP continuing to grow in popularity each year, it's clear that beach volleyball is a sport that's here to stay.