Preview: Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour 2025 Opens in Yucatan, Mexico

The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour blasts off its 2025 season in Mexico next week with the Yucatán Challenge, taking place March 20-23.

As the first event of the year, this tournament brings together an impressive lineup of international beach volleyball stars to the stunning Gulf Coast. With the first ranking points up for grabs and early momentum on the line, the Yucatán Challenge is set to be a compelling start to the season.

Our staff photographer Greg will be on site to capture all the energy and drama as it unfolds, so stay tuned! To check out some of his coverage at the 2024 Guadalajara and Tepic events in Mexico visit our media page

Teams to Watch

Drawing from the official Volleyball World entry lists and recent updates, here’s a quick look at the standout and newly formed teams to keep an eye on:

Men’s Teams

• Vitor Felipe/Guto Carvalhosa (Brazil): A seasoned Brazilian pair with a knack for precision and power, they are primed to set a high bar early in the season.
• Trevor Crabb/Theo Brunner (USA): This American duo combines Crabb’s dynamic play with Brunner’s steady presence, making them a consistent threat on the tour.
• Noslen Diaz/Jorge Alayo (Cuba): After Mexican success with a bronze finish at 2024 Elite16 Tepic, this Cuban tandem brings explosive athleticism and a hunger to climb the rankings.



• Evan Cory/Tri Bourne(USA): A newly formed pair for 2025, Cory’s agility and recent success on the AVP circuit pairs with Bourne’s height and international experience, promising a fresh dynamic.

Women’s Teams

• Andressa/Tainá (Brazil): A Brazilian partnership with a strong foundation, looking to pick up where they left off after a strong showing at last year’s João Pessoa.
• Louisa Lippman/Linda Bock (Germany): This newly formed German team blends Lippman’s indoor-to-beach transition skills with Bock’s emerging talent, aiming to make waves after Lippman’s 2024 Olympic push.
• Athenas Gutierrez/Susana Torres (Mexico): Local favorites, Gutierrez and Torres are poised to rally the crowd with their improving form and home advantage.
• Savvy Simo/Tessa Van Winkle (USA): Another fresh U.S. pairing, Simo’s speed and Van Winkle’s versatility signal a team ready to challenge the established order.
• Rebecca Cavalcanti/Carol Solberg (Brazil): A new iteration of Brazilian excellence, pairing Cavalcanti’s rising star with Solberg’s veteran savvy.

With new pairs like Cory/Bourne and Lippman/Bock forming post-2024 Olympics to chase new goals, the Yucatán entries have a mix of established names and intriguing new combinations, setting up an exciting and unpredictable field.

Kicking off on the sand March 20-23, the Yucatán Challenge is more than an opener—it’s a proving ground. With a deep roster of competitors, including powerhouse nations like Brazil and the U.S., alongside rising stars and local hopefuls, this event will offer an early glimpse of the 2025 season’s trajectory. Expect precision, power, and plenty of surprises as the Beach Pro Tour begins its global journey.