SAN DIEGO, Calif. - It's been two years, but with the AVP Tour returning to the sandy shores of San Diego, it's also a homecoming weekend for several players.

"I'm glad we are back," said John Hyden, who moved to San Diego when his family moved to the area when he was six months old. "It's a great venue and hopefully we can get the fans out again. I grew up in San Diego (North County - Rancho Bernardo), went to high school here and then San Diego State University."

Along with Hyden, who a two-time First-Team All-American for the 1994 and 1995 seasons at San Diego State, fellow San Diego State and men's volleyball team alumni Hans Stolfus is also experiencing a warm welcome this weekend.

"I love it and miss it down here," said Stolfus, who played at San Diego State in 1998 after transferring. "It's one of my favorite stops and it's fun to be down here and see everyone I grew up playing against. There are 10 guys who I played with that are here and another 10 old friends from the community who are here.

The birthplace of the sport of beach volleyball may be north in Manhattan Beach, but it is the beaches of San Diego that are considered the home of beach volleyball for some of players.

"I was a teacher for a couple of years and then came out to South Mission Beach," said Stolfus, who grew up in Iowa. "I remember first going to Cohasset Beach and being kicked off because I was so bad. They sent me back to South Mission Beach courts. Then when you started playing and training at Cohasset, it's where I learned how to play."

In addition, with the tour stopping in San Diego, it gives the local alumni a chance to go check out their alma mater and relive some memories.

"The campus looks completely different," said Stolfus. "It's been completely remodeled and all of the buildings and amenities are all world-class now. When I was there it seemed pretty dingy. I haven't been there in almost eight years."

"I saw a couple of the girls I played with while in San Diego and we are staying with one of them," said Katie Lindquist, who was a first-team all-district setter in 1998 and 1999 when she played at the University of San Diego. "It's really fun since I haven't seen some of these girls in a couple of years. The best memories were indoors. The camaraderie we had was the best as we had a great team and always got along. You can't ask for anything more than that."

With being back in the city where some of the players either spent their childhood or their college days in, this weekend is also a chance to reminisce about the good old days.

"One memory is from playing down at Mission Beach with the baseball team a lot," said Lindquist. "It was fun hanging out with the different teams."

While the majority of the players on the AVP Tour live close to Hermosa, Manhattan or Huntington Beach, for a select few that came home to San Diego this weekend, it was a chance to enjoy some of the comforts of home.

"I lived 10 minutes from the site in Bay Park, so it's great," said Diane DeNecochea, who trades off commuting duties with partner Barbara Fontana during the week so they can train together. "I have two kids, so I tell them that I am checking into my hotel when it is seven o'clock so they know I need to get off my feet since that's what I do when I am on the road. That's the only thing I really have to be proactive about. I also have a bunch of friends, family and neighbors out here watching."

Yet no matter what they did during their homecoming weekend, many of the standouts from the San Diego area just got to enjoy the lifestyle that only San Diego can offer.

"San Diego State University is big party school and I had a great time playing there," said Hyden. "My coaches there taught me a lot about discipline and work ethic. San Diego is a great area to be in. I'm actually staying in an RV adjacent to the site with my brother. Last night I just sat there and watched the sun. It's just beautiful out here and can't be beat."