We had a big group of talented VBVA freakazoids head up to Coolangatta, Queensland for the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships (AJBVC) last week… and we had some fantastic results: five medals… two silver, three bronze. Every one of our kids finished in the top 10 in the country for their age. Congratulations to you all.
Here is a breakdown of the VBVA crew who traveled:
U18 BOYS
Joey and Dallas
BRONZE
The boys! Joey and Dallas won 7 of 9 games on their way to a bronze medal. Their only losses came from the eventual gold and silver medalists. Third best team in Australia, and a great example for the younger VBVA crew coming through. What a way to stick to a plan boys!
U17 GIRLS
Evie and Talia
SILVER
So… so close! A nervous start ended with a fantastic push to be the second best U17 team in the country. Evie and Talia lost only one match in the entire four day tournament… and it came in their last game on centre court, in front of a large crowd; in person and online. An unfortunate refereeing decision may have soured the final, but a great overall tournament allows the girls to look ahead.
Kalsie
9TH
In her first year playing the sport, at her first AJBVC, the ever-smiling legend that is Kalsie finished the tournament alongside good friend Kira, in 9th place. One bad game was the difference between their eventual finish and a top 6 place. With another year under her belt, just imagine how good Kalsie will be in 2021.
U17 BOYS
Ethan and Max
9TH
More first-timers to the AJBVC and a great result for the boys. In what was a tough pool, Ethan and Max stepped up later in the tournament, slipping outside the top pool positions on count-back of sets. One more three-setter would have been enough. Regardless, this was a great result.
U16 GIRLS
Caitie
4TH
Drafted into the traveling team at the last minute, and paired with great friend Lulu; Caitie was never expected to get this close to the medals. But her and Lulu stepped up, improving throughout the tournament, and pushing the eventual gold medalists all the way in the semi’s. Unfortunately they dropped off in their Bronze medal play-off against fellow Vic’s Sienna and Ella. Fantastic job girls.
U16 BOYS
Callan
7TH
Another AJBVC debutant, Callan and partner Seth won games they weren’t expected to win, and lost games were should have won. Stepping up in the big games, dropping off in the more straightforward matches, on their way to a fantastic 7th. They had the opportunities to break into the top four, but inconsistency made it hard. Otherwise, a fantastic result!
U15 BOYS
James
BRONZE
Bringing it home for the VBVA crew was James, who captained a 4-a-side U15 crew who blitzed their bronze medal match, after a cross-over against the eventual gold medalists. Rumour has it, we’ll have team member Luca joining us as soon as training recommences post-Covid-19.
