CEDAR FALLS - In the quiet bitter cold of January in Cedar Falls, the McLeod Center at the University of Northern Iowa will heat up with the noise and intensity of the 2009 AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights volleyball tour.

Saturday, Jan. 31, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) will throw a beach party, complete with AVP athletes and 200 tons of sand, in the McLeod Center at UNI.

The tour combines the best of AVP volleyball action with the California beach lifestyle - but indoors. In addition to three hours of round-robin tournament play, the tour will bring a live beach party to each stop.

UNI is the solo stop in Iowa for the most popular and talented AVP players. The tour will take the players to snowbound cities across the United States, including arenas in New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Utah and more.

"We are thrilled to be able to continue to bring world-class beach volleyball to all corners of the United States," said Leonard Armato, CEO and commissioner of the AVP Crocs Tour and AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights Tour. "We are excited about the new venues on the tour this year, and so pleased to return to others."

Tickets for the AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights volleyball tour beach party in the McLeod Center at UNI are on sale now. The cost ranges from $30 to $65. Courtside seats on the floor are on sale for $65, and the next five rows of seating can be purchased for $45. The remaining seating costs $30. There is a $10 discount on the $30 tickets for guests age 3-18 and for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be purchased at all UNITix locations, or by calling (319) 273-4TIX, or online at www.uni.edu/mcleod.

For more information on the 2009 AVP Crocs Hot Winter Nights tour, contact Erin Strellner, UNI assistant director for UNI-Dome operations and sports event management, at (319) 273-3966.