Over the past 13 years there have been some great achievements for our academy; not only in medals, podium finishes and age champions, but in our ever-growing numbers of state representatives. 2023 though, has been on another level. Not just in the results, but in the feedback we have been getting from parents, coaches and the kids themselves. We are regularly hearing about the positive on-court attitude of our players; the respect they are showing toward their teammates, coaches and opponents.
This attitude and respect further evidenced by both James and Gemma being named Victorian Team Captains for 2023, making it five of the last six Vic Captains from our academy!
Results are always great, It’s what most people notice. But for us VBVA coaches, receiving such glowing feedback on the way our kids are conducting themselves means so much more. Having so many of the best players in the country training with us is fantastic, but knowing our kids are being talked about in such a positive way makes the effort worth it.
That said… onto the results. 13 medals won by VBVA players of a total 20 won by Victoria! Four Gold, seven Silver and two Bronze medals. From U14s to U18s, our kids proved they’re among the cream of Australia’s beach volleyball future.
Here is a breakdown…
U14 BOYS | Silver
It was a hard slog for Leo, Lenny, Seb and their partner Ethan through the pool rounds, winning two and losing three, but that was enough to get them a cross-over into the quarters. A solid win against one NSW team gave them the opportunity to push for a final berth against another NSW team, the latter of which rolled through the pool round undefeated. A mammoth three-setter saw the boys pip the table-toppers in near darkness. That semi must have taken its toll as Lenny, Seb, Leo and their partner couldn’t quite take that last step, losing 0-2 in the final.
U14 GIRLS | Gold
Ellie, Izabella, Ediri and their teammates Adele and Mayra went through the entire tournament undefeated. They didn’t even drop a set!. Let that sink in. They were so dominant, not a single team was able to take a set from them. They cruised past every obstacle, which bodes well for future events.
U15 GIRLS | Silver
Their tournament may not have started well, but for Rosie, Ella and their teammate Shiyu, first game loss aside, they only dropped a single set until their final. A match that could have gone either way, finishing in a 1-2 defeat… and a silver medal.
Sophie, Shalomi, Amelia and their partner finished 2nd in the same pool, but were knocked out in the quarters, finishing 6th overall.
U16 GIRLS | Gold
Jess and partner Ruby dominated their pool, as well as their quarter, semi and final… not dropping a set, even in the Gold medal match against their fellow Victorians. Just like our other (U14) Golden Girls, Jess and her partner Ruby had the perfect tournament.
Madera and Brit finished 13th. Marija and her partner finished 17th
U17 GIRLS | Silver
Hilary and Lucy finished their pool round with five from five wins and a 10-2 set for and against. In a pool that, it could be argued looking at final results, was the strongest in the division. They beat WA in their quarter, and QLD in their semi, before losing to another QLD team in the Gold medal match. A final that saw them within only a point from a win on several occasions.
Leah and her partner finished 12th. Isabella and her partner finished 19th
U17 BOYS
Ryan and Zavier finished 14th, Brock and his partner finished 24th.
U18 GIRLS | Bronze
They’ve been getting closer, in 2022 they finished 4th, in 2023 it was Bronze. Gemma and Emma blitzed their pool, losing only a set on their way to 1st place and direct entry into the quarters. A straight sets win took them into the semi, where they were undone by a QLD team that was just too strong on the day. They had no plans for a Bronze medal deja vu; absolutely crushing the same NSW opponents who pushed them into 4th a year prior, 21-5 in the second set, having pushed through in a close first.
Emily and her partner finished 7th. Sedona and her partner finished 18th
U18 BOYS
James and Luca finished their pool in second, behind the eventual Bronze medalists from NSW. They won their round of 12 before losing to eventual Silver medalists from QLD. Early in the 5th-8th play-offs, James damaged a toe, but continued through to a closely contested loss to the eventual 5th place getters. James and Luca unfortunately had to forfeit their remaining games, finishing 8th. Not bad given the run of opponents they had in front of them.
Angus and his partner finished 14th
Once again, congratulations to all.
