Nissan Series Cincinnati Open Coming To Mason, Ohio

Top professional athletes and world-class volleyball hits the Midwest for July 4^th weekend

The AVP Nissan Series is bringing the ultimate sports and entertainment experience to the Midwest this summer when it visits the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio for the Nissan Series Cincinnati Open, June 30 through July 3.

The AVP Nissan Series kicks-off with the qualifier on Thursday June 30^th and continues through the weekend with the men's and women's finals on Saturday, July 2^nd and Sunday, July 3^rd. NBC Sports will broadcast the event live from 4:30-6:00 p.m./ET. The Cincinnati Open is the first of five live tournament broadcasts on NBC Sports.

More than 150 of the top professional beach volleyball athletes will compete in the tournament including 2004 Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May, 2004 Olympic bronze medal winners Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs. The men's side brings fierce competition with three-time Olympic gold medal winner Karch Kiraly, 2004 AVP MVP and rising star, Mike Lambert and 2000 Olympic gold medalists Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana.

"We are very excited to come to the Cincinnati-region with its supportive fans," said Commissioner Leonard Armato. "The area has a great volleyball community and what a better time to enjoy first-rate beach volleyball than 4^th of July weekend."

Bob Slattery, President Reach Event Marketing (REM), the Producer of the event, echoes Leonard Armato's enthusiasm, "Hosting this high profile event is an incredible opportunity for the Greater Cincinnati area. NBC’s national broadcast provides tremendous exposure in showcasing our region. We are confident this event staged at the Lindner Family Tennis Center will become the marquee tour stop for the AVP tour."

GE is the charitable sponsor for the event, promoting breast cancer awareness to benefit the Barrett Cancer Center.

"This is Greater Cincinnati's ticket to watch Olympic medalists compete in one of the nation's most popular sports for an outstanding cause," said GE Transportation's President and CEO, Dave Calhoun. "We look forward to the games and the benefit they will bring to our region, women's health and the Barrett Cancer Center."

For more information and to purchase tickets, fans can log onto www.avp.com or call toll-free: (800) 280-2330.Tickets start at just $15.00!

About the AVP

Organized in 1983, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is the most popular and respected beach volleyball organization in the world. Featuring more than 150 of the top American men and women competitors in the sport, the AVP will stage 14 events throughout the United States in 2005. All tournaments will be televised live (or same day) on either Fox Sports Net or NBC Sports. Pro beach volleyball is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sports on the planet. In 2004, AVP athletes successfully represented the USA during the Olympics in Athens, Greece by bringing back a gold and bronze medal - the first-ever won by U.S. women.

For media inquiries: Courtney Leddy (646) 283-2121 cleddy@avp.com

For ticket inquiries, sponsorships and additional event information: Mario Cicchinelli (513)794.4174 mcicchinelli@reachusa.com