Others link its popularity to the efforts of the Association of Volleyball Professionals and people like Mr. Stevenson.

Mr. Armato, now 53, helped found the Association of Volleyball Professionals in 1983.

After graduating from college, Stonebarger traded her uniform in for a bikini and a job in the Association of Volleyball Professionals playing professional beach volleyball.

After a college volleyball career at Nevada-Reno in which she set several school records, More entered the Association of Volleyball Professionals.

Barefoot Wine sponsors the Association of Volleyball Professionals.

Wilson makes the official ball of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (beach).

He began his professional volleyball career in 2004 and became a nationally ranked Association of Volleyball Professionals player.

The Association of Volleyball Professionals, pro beach volleyball's premier tour, is in Chicago.

Take Phil Dalhausser, 27, of the Association of Volleyball Professionals.

Association of Volleyball Professionals (pro beach volleyball)