More than 80 elite beach volleyballers will dig their toes into the sand and face off in the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Open at Mount Maunganui this weekend.

The field of 84, includes three international teams lead by Vanuatu Women's pair of Miller Elwin and Henriette Iatika, finishing 9th at last year's World Championships, a Women's team from Spain and a Men's team of a Spanish and French pairing.

Mount Maunganui's Mike Watson sets the ball during a match earlier this month.

Bay of Plenty's contingent is led by Melissa Ruru and her partner Danielle Quigley, from North Harbour, who edge ahead of Julia Tilley and Waikato teammate Shaunna Polley after a close final at last weekend's Waikato Open.

Both these teams will be looking to not only finish top of the New Zealand rankings, but also take down Vanuatu, which will be a major international scalp.

The Men's field is equally as tight, with the top NZ teams facing off in the last two International Tour finals with both matches resulting in tight three set battles.

Currently the Bay's Sam O'Dea and Mike Watson are on top with two victories against Sam's younger brother Ben O'Dea and Thomas Hartles, North Harbour.

The top teams will earn the right to represent NZ on the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour and some teams have higher aspiration of continuing on to compete on the Beach Volleyball World Tour as they continue their efforts to qualify for Rio 2016.

There is also an intriguing battle further down the rankings as some of NZ's elite Under 19 players battle for a spot representing New Zealand at the Youth Olympic Games to be held in China later this year.

The National Coaches have been watching with great interest as the top junior teams compete against each other as well as giving the older teams a run for their money.

This weekend's action begins with the qualification tournament on Friday afternoon, followed by pool play on Saturday and the play-offs on Sunday. Semi-finals from 10.30am and finals scheduled for 2:30pm and 3:30pm.

There will be grand stand seating around the centre court which is free for the public.