Ah once again it is time for the AVP’s Hot Winter Nights. The top stars of the Pro-Beach Volleyball league take to the frozen tundra of Uncasville, Conn., Grand Rapids, Mich and Reading, Penn for some indoor beach action. Should be a fun gig for some roadie the sand is imported from Jamaica and schleped from town to town.

This portion of the tour has, in the past, been used to introduce the sport to folks who don’t get to the beach much. Thanks to stunning performances by the four Olympic teams, the flyover folks know all about it.  With the two Golden Girls MIA, Kerri is knocked up and Misty was knocked down, this will have an impact on the seedings and rankings of the coming summer.

The format is 4 men and 4 women, each out on their own and interchanging teams. Also every tour stop will have a different grab bag of players. The biggest regular marquee player will be Olympian Nicole Branagh who is poised to be the sport’s next superstar. However, both Jen Boss and April Ross, aka Team Crackpot, may have

Team Crackpot Jen Boss April Ross

something to say about that. These two narrowly missed out on becoming the second Olympic team, proving this Volleyball guru wrong. April had a strong lead in last year’s HWN only to have it snatched out from under her by Branagh at last venue. It made sense, April had been on all the previous five or six tour stops. A well rested Branagh showed up and swooped in.  There is an axe that needs some grinding here.\

Hot Winter Nights will also determine what teams dig the sand next year. With Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs most likely retiring, that leaves Branagh and Angie Akers without partners. There was never any real chemistry between Rachel Wacholder and Tyra Turner, so a split there is inevitable. Also, the freshly minted rookie of the year Whitney Pavlick needs a place to call home as well.  Previous rooks include today’s headliners, Branagh and Ross. The only really solid teams going into next year are Team Crackpot and vets  Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson Jordan. Kerri Walsh and Misty May are done for a couple of years, so this tour will start to determine who their heiress will be.

So the HWN  ain’t for nuthin’ this year/

Prediction: Jen Boss and April Ross clean up!

As usual, the top ranked men's teams will also be on/