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San Diego Smash get a bit busted up in 2025
2024 MVP Geena Urango embraces leadership role after teammate suffers early season-ending injury
Geena Urango lays out.
Since its establishment in 1983, the Association of Professional Volleyball League has changed ownership more times than your local dive bar. But things have steadied in the years since 2021, when Bally’s Corporation took control of America’s only professional beach volleyball league. ("Beach" here sometimes just means "played on sand" — when the San Diego Smash played hometown host on June 6 and 7, they brought 300 tons of sand into Viejas Arena. The sand was later donated to local schools for their own beach volleyball programs.)
It seems Bally's is serious about creating a legitimate sports league. Earlier this year, AVP struck broadcast multi-year agreements with The CW Network and CBS Sports, which helps account for the in a multi-year deal, which helps account for the increase in indoor arena play. The league also has more structure than it once did. What was once an open tournament for anybody to walk on and play is now an eight-team league packed with Olympians and college standouts. Each team consists of two men and two women. The men play against the men and vice versa. The Smash’s men’s team include San Diego native and former NBA small forward Chase Budinger. Alongside Budinger is UC Santa Barbara alumnus Miles Evans. (The two competed together in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.)
At the season's outset, The Smash's female tandem consisted of Geena Urango, selected by her fellow players as 2024's League MVP, and Louisiana native Toni Rodriguez. The team was hoping to repeat as League champions after a successful 2024 campaign, but on the first set of the first night of hometown action, as the Smash went up against the Austin Aces, Rodriguez chased down a ball near the net. Then there was a scream. She had sustained a season-ending shoulder injury that would require surgery. The women’s team was forced to forfeit the match; because the game's partnerships are so cohesive, there were no backup players on call. The men's team swept the Aces, but the celebrations were muted.
“It’s very unfortunate, and we feel for her,” Urango told me. “The guys and myself and Toni had all really developed this great team camaraderie from last year into this year. I asked all of them, including Toni, for advice on moving forward — on what would be best for me. Injuries are tough. Toni’s always going to a part of the San Diego Smash. There’s no question about that.”
On the second night of play, the Smash went against their rivals from the north, the LA Launch. Abby Van Winkle stepped in for Rodriguez that night, delivering a gutty performance beside Urango. Still, the women’s team lost the first set. Then, in a history making second set, Van Winkle and Urango rallied to beat their opponents 23-21 — the highest point total in the new era of AVP. However, the duo dropped the third set, ultimately losing the match.
Needing a permanent partner, Urango paired up with the UCLA alum Devon Newberry for the remainder of the 2025 season. “Devon was here in Southern California," said Urango, "so I was able to get in the sand with her a little bit, whereas all my other options were in Europe, playing internationally. I think it’s important to create some synergy together. My goal is always to bring out the best in my partners. I saw playing with Devon as an opportunity. She’s a confident player.”
She's also younger: just 24 to Urango's 36. Following the retirements of April Ross and Emily Day this year, Urango found herself to be the oldest female in the league. She has since embraced a mentorship role — while still playing at an MVP level. “A lot of younger players who are first entering the league have been asking me questions and advice on how to navigate. I’m honored to share whatever I’ve learned and whatever wisdom I have. I’ve always found myself to be somewhat of a leader, but I feel like I’ve really embraced it this year.”
Even so, after Week 6 of play, the Smash were stuck in 7th place with a 6-10 record. To secure a post-season spot, they will need help — with just two regular-season stops to go. Then it’s on to the championships in Chicago. “It’s kind of a bummer,” Urango says, “because it’s a little out of our control. We need certain teams to not finish well these last couple weekends for us to secure that spot in Chicago.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
San Diego Smash get a bit busted up in 2025
2024 MVP Geena Urango embraces leadership role after teammate suffers early season-ending injury
San Diego Smash get a bit busted up in 2025
2024 MVP Geena Urango embraces leadership role after teammate suffers early season-ending injury
Geena Urango lays out.
Since its establishment in 1983, the Association of Professional Volleyball League has changed ownership more times than your local dive bar. But things have steadied in the years since 2021, when Bally’s Corporation took control of America’s only professional beach volleyball league. ("Beach" here sometimes just means "played on sand" — when the San Diego Smash played hometown host on June 6 and 7, they brought 300 tons of sand into Viejas Arena. The sand was later donated to local schools for their own beach volleyball programs.)
It seems Bally's is serious about creating a legitimate sports league. Earlier this year, AVP struck broadcast multi-year agreements with The CW Network and CBS Sports, which helps account for the in a multi-year deal, which helps account for the increase in indoor arena play. The league also has more structure than it once did. What was once an open tournament for anybody to walk on and play is now an eight-team league packed with Olympians and college standouts. Each team consists of two men and two women. The men play against the men and vice versa. The Smash’s men’s team include San Diego native and former NBA small forward Chase Budinger. Alongside Budinger is UC Santa Barbara alumnus Miles Evans. (The two competed together in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.)
At the season's outset, The Smash's female tandem consisted of Geena Urango, selected by her fellow players as 2024's League MVP, and Louisiana native Toni Rodriguez. The team was hoping to repeat as League champions after a successful 2024 campaign, but on the first set of the first night of hometown action, as the Smash went up against the Austin Aces, Rodriguez chased down a ball near the net. Then there was a scream. She had sustained a season-ending shoulder injury that would require surgery. The women’s team was forced to forfeit the match; because the game's partnerships are so cohesive, there were no backup players on call. The men's team swept the Aces, but the celebrations were muted.
“It’s very unfortunate, and we feel for her,” Urango told me. “The guys and myself and Toni had all really developed this great team camaraderie from last year into this year. I asked all of them, including Toni, for advice on moving forward — on what would be best for me. Injuries are tough. Toni’s always going to a part of the San Diego Smash. There’s no question about that.”
On the second night of play, the Smash went against their rivals from the north, the LA Launch. Abby Van Winkle stepped in for Rodriguez that night, delivering a gutty performance beside Urango. Still, the women’s team lost the first set. Then, in a history making second set, Van Winkle and Urango rallied to beat their opponents 23-21 — the highest point total in the new era of AVP. However, the duo dropped the third set, ultimately losing the match.
Needing a permanent partner, Urango paired up with the UCLA alum Devon Newberry for the remainder of the 2025 season. “Devon was here in Southern California," said Urango, "so I was able to get in the sand with her a little bit, whereas all my other options were in Europe, playing internationally. I think it’s important to create some synergy together. My goal is always to bring out the best in my partners. I saw playing with Devon as an opportunity. She’s a confident player.”
She's also younger: just 24 to Urango's 36. Following the retirements of April Ross and Emily Day this year, Urango found herself to be the oldest female in the league. She has since embraced a mentorship role — while still playing at an MVP level. “A lot of younger players who are first entering the league have been asking me questions and advice on how to navigate. I’m honored to share whatever I’ve learned and whatever wisdom I have. I’ve always found myself to be somewhat of a leader, but I feel like I’ve really embraced it this year.”
Even so, after Week 6 of play, the Smash were stuck in 7th place with a 6-10 record. To secure a post-season spot, they will need help — with just two regular-season stops to go. Then it’s on to the championships in Chicago. “It’s kind of a bummer,” Urango says, “because it’s a little out of our control. We need certain teams to not finish well these last couple weekends for us to secure that spot in Chicago.”
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