Monday, 15 Jul 2024

Teams Find Success at Beach HP Championships

A week of intense training and three days of fierce competition culminated in the finals of the USA Volleyball Beach High Performance Championships held on Santa Monica Beach. The event saw champions crowned in the international and national divisions across six age groups.

One remarkable aspect of the tournament was that many winning teams consisted of players who had never competed together before. Despite this, they managed to find a way to succeed and showcase their talent.

Girls U19 International

In the Girls U19 International division, Olivia Bakos and Xolani Hodel formed a dream team that dominated the tournament without dropping a single set. In the final, Bakos and Hodel defeated Maya Harvey and Allison Hansen, winning with a score of 21-17, 21-12.

Bakos, who is committed to playing beach volleyball at USC, finished second in U17 last year. Hodel, on the other hand, recently verbally committed to playing beach volleyball at Stanford and finished fourth. Their partnership proved to be a winning combination.

When asked about their success, Bakos attributed it to their good ball control and smart plays. She mentioned that they kept it simple and didn’t try anything outlandish, focusing on playing the game they knew they were capable of. Hodel added that staying consistent throughout the tournament was key to their victory.

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Boys U19 International

The Boys U19 International final was an intense all-Florida battle between Dylan Zacca/Kade Lahner and Adam Hartmann/Caleb Kwekel. Zacca and Lahner emerged as the winners, securing a hard-fought victory with a score of 20-22, 21-19, 15-13.

Zacca expressed his happiness at facing their fellow Florida buddies in the final. Despite the competition, there was a strong bond between the teams, and Zacca mentioned that they are close to each other. Grant Strong and Kyle Johnson took third place in the division, defeating the Canadian team of Luke Hyde and Max Losier.

Girls U17 International

Ava Gallien and Hailey Hamlett joined forces in the Girls U17 International division and emerged victorious in the championship match against Savannah Standage and Macy Butler with a score of 21-14, 17-21, 15-8.

Gallien and Hamlett faced a tough loss in pool play but managed to recover and make it to the final by significantly reducing their errors and focusing on keeping the ball in play.

When asked about her high-performance experience, Gallien said that she learned how to set a lefty, showcasing the valuable skills gained from the tournament. In the third-place match, Ashley Vincent and Kelly Belardi defeated Chloe Hooker and Bailey Showalter with a score of 17-21, 21-19, 15-13.

Boys U17 International

The Boys U17 International final was an all-Canadian affair, with Nathan Dunne and Matthew Rugosi defeating Kenneth Mann and Markus Law-Heese with a score of 23-21, 21-15.

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Dunne and Rugosi were playing in California for the first time, which presented some challenges for them. However, they managed to adapt and perform better in the final when it mattered most.

Girls U15 International

In the Girls U15 International division, Florida’s Jordan Boulware and Ashley Pater secured victory in the final against Julia Waugh and Koko Kirsh with a score of 21-9, 21-11. Emma Glagau and Ruby Sorra from Canada took third place after a thrilling match against Julia Capps and Zoey Henson, with a score of 18-21, 21-17, 15-12.

Boys U15 International

The Boys U15 International division saw Sean Kelly and Carson Strawbridge come together from opposite coasts to claim the title. In the final, they defeated Lukas Anderson and Caleb Blanchette with a score of 21-15, 21-13.

Raglan Kear and Ford Harman secured third place after defeating Harrison Girard and Ethan Romero with a score of 21-11, 21-17.

These championships showcased the incredible talent and determination of young athletes on the beach volleyball scene. The players displayed exceptional skill, teamwork, and a passion for the game. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding performances!

FAQs

Q: How did the teams come together for the Beach HP Championships?
A: The teams participating in the Beach High Performance Championships were a combination of players who had not competed together before. Despite this, they managed to find success through their skill, teamwork, and determination.

Q: How did Olivia Bakos and Xolani Hodel perform in the Girls U19 International division?
A: Olivia Bakos and Xolani Hodel formed a dream team that went undefeated throughout the tournament in the Girls U19 International division. They showcased excellent ball control and ran smart plays, securing a well-deserved victory.

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Q: What was notable about the Boys U17 International final?
A: The Boys U17 International final was an all-Canadian showdown, with Nathan Dunne and Matthew Rugosi emerging as the champions. Their performance showed their ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

Summary

The USA Volleyball Beach High Performance Championships brought together talented young beach volleyball players from various age groups. The teams showcased their skill, teamwork, and determination throughout the competition. Olivia Bakos and Xolani Hodel dominated the Girls U19 International division, while Dylan Zacca and Kade Lahner emerged victorious in the Boys U19 International final. Ava Gallien and Hailey Hamlett secured the championship title in the Girls U17 International division, and Nathan Dunne and Matthew Rugosi triumphed in the Boys U17 International category. The tournament was a testament to the passion and potential of these young athletes in the world of beach volleyball. To stay updated with the latest beach volleyball news and events, visit Alpinetgheep.com.