RACINE - Ten years after Justin Schnor, 28, played volleyball at Horlick High School, he was back on the Racine courts this weekend - this time playing professional sand volleyball.

During most work days Schnor can be found in front of a computer working as a full-time Web designer. But after work is done he heads out to the sand - his real passion.

"If I had to pick what to do, I would choose this," Schnor said sitting in the sand after finishing his last round of volleyball Saturday.

North Beach hosted the Corona Light EVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament for the third consecutive year on Saturday.

Along with celebrity players from Florida, Michigan and California, Racine fans welcomed back one of its own.

"Nothing compares to coming home," Schnor said. "You get to see your friends, your friends get to see you."

At first Schnor was a little intimidated to play with professional volleyball players, but now he is one of the group.

"I know all of them now," Schnor said. "I'm kind of desensitized to it. It's just my summer hangout."

So far this year, he and his partner Jon MacKay, 23 of Greenfield, have played in two pro tournaments in California and Chicago, and they have two more scheduled for this year.

When Schnor started playing volleyball during his sophomore year of high school, he didn't expect to make a life out of it.

He just wanted to improve his vertical for basketball, he said.

From there, he went on to be a member of the All-Racine County team twice and received a scholarship from Chicago's Loyola University.

In 2003, he also was invited to try out for the United States team that will compete in the World University Games this summer in Asia.

But last year, after moving to Bayview, he took a year off.

Fellow Horlick High School graduate Sara Esson, 28, was glad to see him playing Saturday. She used to watch him play in college and was afraid he wouldn't return to the sport after his break.

He missed it too much.

"The things you love always bring you back," Schnor said.

This is the first season Schnor and his teammate have played together. They met at a club volleyball game and decided to play together this summer.

They are getting better, but it's a slow process and all about communication, MacKay said.

Schnor and his partner finished in 13th place out of 24 teams. They were a little disappointed they didn't make it into the finals, but there is always the next Racine tournament.

"We're praying for better results then," MacKay said.

North Beach will host the Corona Light EVP Pro Beach Volleyball World Championships on Sept. 6, when about 100 teams - including international teams - might come to town.