Diluted Fields for Southland Swing

The AVP tour, minus several of its top teams, stops in Huntington Beach beginning today to kick off a three-week stay in Southern California. But unlike in 2000, when teams that missed AVP tournaments were suspended and fined, the teams missing events this year -- all playing overseas in Olympic qualifying tournaments -- will not be penalized.

“We will support any players who desire the right to compete for an Olympic spot,” AVP Commissioner Leonard Armato said. “We realize it’s an important opportunity not only for them but for our sport to get exposure.”

Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs, the second-ranked women’s team, are playing in China. Same with No. 3 Jenny Johnson Jordan and Annett Davis.

That leaves top-ranked Misty May and Kerri Walsh, who have won every AVP tournament they have played. Should they win this week, it would be their 14th consecutive tournament victory, breaking the record set by Liz Masakayan and Karolyn Kirby in 1993-94.

Depth and parity characterize the men’s side, with three different winners in three events this year and 10 different winners in the last 12 dating to last year.

And with top-ranked Sean Scott and Todd Rogers, No. 4 Stein Metzger and Dax Holdren and No. 9 Eric Fonoimoana and Kevin Wong all playing in Serbia, the field is even more open than usual.

“It’ll make the road a little easier for whoever wins because there aren’t as many top teams to contend with,” Karch Kiraly said. “But there is so much parity ... so it’s not going to be easy by any means.”

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AVP Tournament

* What: Huntington Beach Open

* Where: Huntington Beach Pier

* When: Today-Sunday, matches begin at 9 a.m. Men’s final, Sunday, 1:30 p.m.; women’s final, Sunday, 2:30 p.m..

* Television: Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net.