Watch 2018 AVP/HTA Hawaii Invitational

The 2018 AVP/HTA Hawaii Invitational was an exciting volleyball tournament held in Waikiki, Hawaii from September 14-16, 2018. The event featured some of the best beach volleyball players from around the world, competing for cash prizes and bragging rights on the sandy shores of the Hawaiian Islands.

The tournament was part of the 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, which is the largest and most prestigious beach volleyball series in the United States. In addition to the regular AVP players, the Hawaii Invitational featured several wildcard teams from the Hawaiian Islands who had earned their spot in the tournament through a local qualifier. This added an extra level of excitement and unpredictability to the event, as the locals were eager to prove themselves against the more established AVP pros.

The event kicked off on Friday, September 14 with the men's and women's qualifying rounds, during which the wildcard teams had their first chance to play against the pros. The matches were intense, with a lot on the line for every team. The top two teams from each gender's qualifying round would advance to the main draw, where they would face off against the top-seeded teams from the AVP.

On Saturday, the main draw began with the opening rounds of pool play. The teams were divided into four pools of four, with each team playing three matches to determine their seeding for the elimination rounds. The matches were played under beautiful Hawaiian skies, with the Pacific Ocean shimmering in the background. The crowds were enthusiastic and supportive, cheering on both the Hawaiian wildcard teams and the AVP pros.

On Sunday, the elimination rounds began, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single-elimination bracket. The matches became even more intense, as every team was fighting to stay alive and keep their tournament hopes alive. The men's and women's semifinals and finals would be played later in the day, with the winners taking home the coveted trophies and cash prizes.

Throughout the tournament, there were several standout performances from both the AVP pros and the wildcard teams. The top-seeded men's team of Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena were dominant throughout, winning all their pool play matches and cruising to the semifinals. On the women's side, the top-seeded team of April Ross and Alix Klineman were equally impressive, also winning all their pool play matches and advancing straight to the semifinals.

But the wildcard teams also had their moments in the sun. The Hawaiian duo of Ka'eo Kaaa and Brad Lawson won their opening match against AVP veterans Casey Patterson and Stafford Slick, sending shockwaves through the tournament. Another Hawaiian team, Pono Fey and Chad Galloway, advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the third-seeded team of Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb.

In the end, the finals were a battle between the top-seeded teams and their worthy opponents. In the men's final, Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena faced off against the fourth-seeded team of John Hyden and Ryan Doherty. The match was a thriller, with both teams exchanging blows and leaving everything on the sand. In the end, Dalhausser and Lucena proved too strong, winning the title in straight sets (21-16, 21-18).

The women's final was no less exciting, with April Ross and Alix Klineman taking on the second-seeded team of Emily Day and Betsi Flint. The match was intense from start to finish, with both teams refusing to give an inch. In the end, Ross and Klineman came out on top, winning in three sets (21-16, 26-28, 15-10) and claiming the Hawaii Invitational title.

Overall, the 2018 AVP/HTA Hawaii Invitational was a fantastic event, showcasing the best of beach volleyball in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The tournament was filled with exciting matches, stunning views, and an electric atmosphere that made it a must-see for any volleyball fan.