COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Robert Chavez, who played on Southern Cal's 1980 NCAA championship volleyball team and was a founding member of the Association of Volleyball Professionals, has died. He was 46.

Chavez died last Thursday, USA Volleyball said. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Chavez played 139 beach volleyball tournaments from 1982-95, winning $97,908.25, and served several terms on the AVP's board of directors. He also worked occasionally on volleyball telecasts.

He graduated from USC Law School in 1986 and was working as a civil litigation attorney in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. He is survived by his wife, Christina Chavez, three children and a large extended family.