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The biggest beach event on the Victorian calendar rolled across the weekend, with some fantastic results from a huge crew of VBVA players… but none, quite as good as that of Talia and her partner; with an equal 3rd in AAA.
Talia and her partner started with a win over Warriors Anina and Sara (21-17, 21-18), before losing to eventual silver medalists Sturgeon/Angermeier (17-21, 13-21). This dropped the girls into the consolation bracket – lose again and you’re out. Their next game was against Riemer/Nguyen – another pair of Warriors – winning in two close sets (21-19, 21-18), before moving into a ‘loser ranked 7th’ play-off, against Pan/Moehl… winning 21-16, 21-18.
The girls faced their first real top-end challenge since round 2, when they faced serial AAA finalist Alex Friedrich, playing alongside indoor player Krista. Talia and her partner lost a close first set 19-21, before storming back in the second to grab it 21-17. The final set saw a 15-11 win for the juniors, and a semi-final Super Sunday playoff against the same team who initially dropped them into the loser’s bracket. Unfortunately their opponents were too strong, but wow! What a great run.
In other results…
AAA Women
Evie, playing with former AAA regular Diana Oldehus, finished in 9th, losing to eventual semi-finalists Zivcic/Slawuta. Cat and her partner Gwen finished in 9th. Kalsie and Lulu, along with Sammy and Mia, finished in equal 13th. Warriors Sara and Anina picked up 7th, with Mimi and Isabel in 9th.
AAA Men
Sam and Will somehow lost their final game, having absolutely decimated Meyn/Eagle 21-4 in a first set roasting. On their way to 9th, they knocked Klaas and Lindsay into 17th as they overcame the pair in three tight sets. As for former VBVA alumni, Blake and Zeb also fell out at 17th… but congrats to Garang for winning his first Vic Open, playing with Justin Schumann.
Special mentions…
Angus, playing with partner Dan, lost a close Men’s ‘A’ grand final against Warrior Danny and his partner Lachlan… after the latter dispatched Tommy and Noah in a close semi.
The Women’s A final saw sisters Emma and Hillary on opposing sides of the net, playing out an all VBVA final. Emma, playing with Gemma, beat Hillary and Hannah 18-16, 18-6 to take out the division.
In Women’s B, Leah and Lucy lost a tight semi-final in their first event together.
And, finally, in Mixed Junior Three’s, Jess, along with partner Ruby, won the division; beating Leo and Lenny in the final.
Well done to all!
Vic Open Images…
