In a dramatic finale that had fans on the edge of their seats, the San Diego Smash clinched the inaugural AVP League title, punctuating a remarkable late-season surge that saw them rise from the depths of the standings to champions. A Golden Set showdown, an innovative format introduced this season, became the stage for an unforgettable finish as Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, along with their teammates Geena Urango and Toni Rodriguez, secured a 15-13 victory against the Dallas Dream on a balmy Sunday afternoon in Carson, California.
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A Rollercoaster Season and a Thrilling Golden Set Finish
The AVP League’s championship match proved to be one for the history books. With the score tied at one set apiece, the match moved to a Golden Set, a tiebreaker in which the teams compete for a single set to 15 points, with the men and women alternating turns to play. The Golden Set, often an unpredictable and high-pressure format, lived up to its billing, as both teams fought tooth and nail for the title.
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For the Smash, it came down to a critical sideout at 14-10 in favor of the Dream. Chase Budinger, who has had his fair share of pressure-packed moments, answered the call with a game-winning kill that sealed the deal. The Dream’s undefeated duo of Miles Partain and Andy Benesh had fought valiantly to stave off three championship points, but it was Budinger’s timely spike that crushed their hopes and handed the Smash their first-ever AVP League championship.
“It was a total team effort,” said Budinger, who famously competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest before making the transition to professional beach volleyball. “The Golden Set was a true team win. We couldn’t have done it without the amazing performance from our girls. They set us up perfectly with that lead, and we just had to finish it.”
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An Unlikely Champion’s Journey
It wasn’t always clear that the Smash would even make it to the championship match. They entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, with a middling 8-8 record after overcoming a difficult start to the season. The team’s early struggles were well-documented, as they sat at a disappointing 2-6 midway through the regular season. But their late-season turnaround, fueled by gritty performances from both the men and women’s pairs, set the stage for an improbable title run.
Chase Budinger reflected on the team’s transformation, explaining how they came together after a slow start. “We just kept talking, kept working hard, and started bonding more. We didn’t want to just make the playoffs; we wanted to play our best and give ourselves a chance. And that’s exactly what we did. We got hot at the right time,” said Budinger.
Their late-season surge was largely driven by the strong performances from Geena Urango and Toni Rodriguez, the Smash’s women’s duo, who set the tone early in the Golden Set. Geena’s aggressive service game and Toni’s efficient hitting made it clear that they were ready to compete with the best. Toni Rodriguez, in particular, emerged as one of the breakout stars of the league. After battling through multiple knee injuries and switching partners multiple times since joining the AVP in 2019, her performance at the championship proved to be the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.
“I’ve had a lot of struggles in my career,” said Rodriguez, “but this feels like a long time coming. Partnering with Geena this season has been amazing, and to win the championship like this, after everything we’ve been through, is just incredible.”
The Golden Set: A Tension-Filled Thriller
In the Golden Set, the Smash’s women came out strong, quickly building an 8-5 advantage. Toni Rodriguez’s sharp and powerful kills put the Smash in the driver’s seat, and by the time the men took over, they had a solid cushion to work with. The switch from women’s play to men’s play, a key feature of the Golden Set, was pivotal. The net height was adjusted, and Budinger and Evans took full advantage of the change.
Evans, who had played consistently well throughout the weekend, continued to set up his partners with precision passes. Budinger, known for his explosive athleticism, was at his best when he needed to be, delivering a crucial kill that gave the Smash the edge they needed to win the Golden Set 15-13. It was a fitting climax to a team effort that had been months in the making.
Chase Budinger reflected on the Golden Set’s impact: “It’s such a different dynamic, but our team was able to handle the pressure. Geena and Toni were incredible, and Miles and I were able to capitalize on that lead they gave us. It was a full team effort, and that’s what made it so special.”
A Championship Win, a Dynamic Duo, and an Emotional Victory
The Smash’s victory was not just a testament to their skill on the court but also their resilience and team chemistry. Throughout the regular season and into the playoffs, the team’s men and women played off each other in the innovative format, which required coordination and adaptability in equal measure.
“It’s a weird feeling for us to lose our match but have our girls carry us and give us a chance in the Golden Set,” said Miles Evans, who partnered with Budinger in the men’s division. “They’ve been playing so well all year, and we really owe them for putting us in a position to win.”
For Geena Urango, the experience of playing in the Golden Set and seeing the team’s hard work pay off was emotional. “We just treated the Golden Set like it was a continuation of our match,” she explained. “We knew if we could get a point or two, we’d give our guys a cushion. That was our goal, and it worked out perfectly.”
Tough Competition and a Story of Redemption
Despite the Smash’s impressive victory, their opponents, the Dallas Dream, were formidable. The Dream entered the championship match with an undefeated record, and their men’s duo of Miles Partain and Andy Benesh represented the United States in the Paris Olympics. The Dream took the first two sets of the championship match, beating Budinger and Evans 15-12, 15-11. But the Smash’s women’s pair had already built a strong lead, and it was ultimately the women who ensured that the men had the opportunity to finish strong.
After the Smash’s women took a 15-9, 15-9 win over the Dream’s Hailey Harward and Kylie Deberg, the stage was set for a tense Golden Set. Partain and Benesh, who had dominated during the regular season, found themselves battling to stay ahead in the tiebreaker but ultimately fell short.
“Miles and Andy were fantastic,” said Budinger. “They were undefeated for a reason. They came out hard, and it was a challenge for us to come back. But we stuck with it, and we were able to finish strong.”
Looking Ahead: A New Era for the AVP League
The inaugural AVP League season ended on a high note, with the San Diego Smash emerging as champions in dramatic fashion. Their victory not only capped off an incredible season but also showcased the potential of the Golden Set format and the future of professional beach volleyball.
For the Smash, the championship represents the culmination of their hard work, perseverance, and the deep bond they formed as a team. As the AVP League continues to grow and evolve, the Smash’s success may serve as a blueprint for other teams looking to make a late-season surge and claim glory.
For now, the Smash will bask in the glory of their victory, but they know that the road ahead will require even more determination and teamwork. And as the confetti fell and the title belts were hoisted, one thing was clear: this is only the beginning for the San Diego Smash.
