Catastrophic weather did its best to make the 2022 Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships (AYBVC) the wettest, windiest on record. 120mm per day, with 70km winds swirling about, made life hard for the kids… but they managed to get through it, and some excelled.
Of the 56 Victorian representatives who travelled to Coolangatta for the 2022 AYBVC, 33 train with VBVA… a further four trained with us throughout the summer. Of the 14 Victorian medalists, 8 were won by VBVA crew, with a further three picked up by those who trained with us. Add to that all eight kids who finished 4th in their divisions, are from VBVA.
Regardless of results, we are so proud of our crew; they have represented their state and academy with distinction. Here is a brief summary of the results:
Sammy wins Gold, Lulu gets Bronze in U18s
A year ago Sammy wasn’t selected to represent her state; this year she won gold. Sammy and her partner, along with Lulu and her partner both won their pools. Ella and her partner finished second in their pool. A ridiculous quarter-final draw saw all three Victorian teams on the same side of the crossovers. Lulu and her partner, having beaten Ella and her partner, to get into the semi’s, were beaten by Sammy and her partner… who went on to smash their NSW opponents 21-6 in the second set. Lulu and her partner beat QLD to bronze, with Ella and her partner finishing 5th.
U15 and U14 girls each win Bronze
Both Jess, and Madera, playing in the U15s first team, as well as Shalomi, Sophie, Rosie and Ella in the U14s all picked up Bronze medals. In the U15s, Bronze came from beating QLD; in the U14s the girls beat NSW.
Other results…
Emma and Gemma took their opponents all the way in a bronze medal playoff, finishing 4th in U17s. Emily and Kayla finished 9th; Sedona and her partner finished 21st.
James and Luca finished 11th, Angus and his partner got 14th, Tommy and Noah were 17th in the U17 boys.
Ryan and Zavier battled hard, pulling out a fantastic 4th in the U16 boys. Brock and Sammy grabbed 20th.
In the U16 girls Hilary and Hannah finished 5th, with Leah and Lucy in 17th.
As written above, the U15 first team – with Jess and Madera – grabbed a Bronze, and the second team, with Marija, Isabel and Brit finished in 8th.
The U14 girls – Shalomi, Sophie, Rosie and Ella – got Bronze, but only just missing out on the same colour medal were the U14 boys – Seb, Lenny, Leo and Jack – who took a 5th, in what was the youngest team in the division.
Ben – training with us through the summer – won bronze in U18s.
Congratulations to all those who trialled and participated. Let’s make next year even bigger.
