A star on the AVP, Johnny "the H bomb" Hyden quickly established himself as one of the elite players of Pro Beach Volleyball. In 16 AVP tournaments in 2009, Hyden won four times and advanced to four other finals. He was voted the AVP's best defensive player in 2009. Hyden has finished ranked in the top 20 each season since 2004.

 

After only his second year on the beach, he proved himself by qualifying for the Best of the Beach tournament, where only the top 16 players are invited, in 2004. To finish the 2004 season, he partnered with long time friend and former U.S. national teammate Mike Lambert in Chicago, where they placed second. Later in the 2005 season, Hyden teamed up with Lambert again and won the Cincinnati Open, his first victory on the AVP Tour. He finished 2005 ranked seventh in aces (51).

 

In 2006 he teamed up with another former national teammate, Jeff Nygaard. That tandem marked the fifth U.S. national team member Hyden has partnered with. Hyden ended the year ranked fifth in digs (4.82 per game) and seventh in hitting percentage (.440). In 2007 Hyden won God of the Beach in Las Vegas. He ended the year ranked fourth in hitting percentage (.435), seventh in digs (4.58 per game), and 10th in aces (.48 per game).

 

Hyden's quick success comes as no surprise from those who followed his indoor career. He graduated from San Diego State University, where he garnered team MVP honors all four seasons. He was a two-time First-Team All-American (1994, 1995), led the nation in kills per game, and had an NCAA-record 56 kills in one match.

 

Before his successful transition to the beach, Hyden had an outstanding indoor career as a member of the U.S. national team for five years (1995-2000). He was an outside hitter on the 1996 and 2000 Olympic teams. In 1996, he was voted the team MVP. He also played professionally overseas in Italy and Brazil.

 

Hyden married his wife, Robyn, in June 2001. They have a daughter, Samantha, who was born in May 2006.

 

Favorite Movie: Boondock Saints...Favorite TV Show: Family Guy...Favorite Band: Metallica...Favorite Meal: Anything from Jack in the Box...Favorite place to Travel: Anywhere with my wife...Greatest Accomplishment: Back-to-back King of the Beach wins (2007-2008)...If you weren't playing pro beach volleyball, what would you be doing? Living off my wife...Hobbies: Golf, movies, eating