Derek Bradford to Compete in Newport Beach Invitational
Twenty-two-year-old athlete joins elite field for the annual four-man volleyball tournament in Newport Beach.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Volleyball
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Derek Bradford is set to compete in the Newport Beach 4-man Volleyball Invitational scheduled for October 17-18, 2026. The 22-year-old volleyball player will play on a team with Miles Partain, Miles Evans, and Nick Amato.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a key platform for rising stars to gain experience as Bradford builds toward his professional goals. Following a successful season that included a semifinal finish in Huntington Beach and an appearance in Brazil, he remains a talent to watch in the sport.
Derek Bradford stands at 6-9 and turned professional three years ago. Qualifying rounds for this event begin Saturday at 9 a.m. with the championship match held Sunday at 4 p.m.
The players
Derek Bradford
He is a 22-year-old professional beach volleyball player and former University of Hawaii indoor volleyball athlete.
Miles Partain
He is a professional beach volleyball player who joins Bradford on his four-man team for the invitational.
Miles Evans
He is a professional beach volleyball player and teammate of Bradford for this Newport Beach event.
Nick Amato
He completes the four-man team roster alongside Bradford, Partain, and Evans for the tournament.
The details
Bradford transitioned to professional beach volleyball after previously competing in indoor volleyball at the University of Hawaii. Earlier this year, he and partner Evan Cory qualified for the AVP League and gained international experience at an Elite 16 event in Brazil.
Timeline
The Newport Beach 4-man Invitational takes place October 17-18, 2026.
Qualifying rounds for the tournament begin Saturday at 9 a.m.
The championship match is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m.
The Big Picture
The 2028 Los Angeles Games serve as the long-term benchmark for professional beach volleyball development. Bradford's trajectory follows the established pipeline of collegiate indoor talent transitioning to the sand to compete for Olympic roster spots.
Fans attending the invitational can track Bradford's performance across the weekend schedule, which culminates in Sunday's championship match. His role on this four-man roster provides a tactical change from his usual partnership with Evan Cory.
The takeaway
Bradford continues to sharpen his skills through diverse tournament formats and international competition. His steady progression through both domestic opens and global events underscores a serious commitment to the sport at the professional level.
What happens next
Bradford is expected to participate in qualification rounds for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, with 2027 projected as the most competitive year of his professional career thus far.
Further reading
Learn more about the local tournament circuit in our Volleyball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Redlands Daily Facts.
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