“Our top two US teams are actually pairs that have played in this tournament over the last couple of years, so you will see that you have a top pair that played at USC that is together, a top team that played at LSU, so they are definitely making their way into the international ranks,” noted Fasbender.
May has become a huge tourism month, with the volleyball tournaments kicking things off this week, followed by the AHSAA track and field championships, a huge softball tournament and wrapping up with the Hangout Music Festival. While it may be an inconvenience to some residents, city officials believe the results are worth it.
“Our nearly fifty-million-dollar general fund budget that is really funded by a tourism economy provides amazing facilities for our residents and for our youth and for our schools systems to be able to have the finest and the best of the best which we get to experience fifty-two weeks of the year,” explained Grant Brown with the city of Gulf Shores.
Since there are 17 teams this year, the first match is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. It’s single elimination so whoever wins between A&M Corpus Christi and UT Martin will move on. Access to the main beach in front of the Hangout is closed except for those attending the tournament. Free roadside parking can be found throughout the walking district surrounding the event.