Sunday, 13 Oct 2024

Winners Repeat at Beach Collegiate Champs

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (May 11, 2019) – The champions of the 2018 USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championships have successfully defended their titles in 2019, and their victory can be attributed, in part, to their international experience.

In the women’s final on Saturday, Claire Coppola and Kristen Nuss from Louisiana State University emerged as champions for the second consecutive year, defeating Brook Bauer and Deahna Kraft from Pepperdine University with a score of 21-18, 21-23, 15-12. Adam Wienckowski also repeated as the men’s champion, this time with his new partner Tim Brewster. They triumphed over Jon Justice, Wienckowski’s former partner, and Bryce Estes, with a score of 21-17, 15-21, 23-21.

Both winning teams had the opportunity to compete internationally after their victories in the Collegiate Beach Championships in 2018. The players agreed that the international experience played a significant role in their success in 2019.

Coppola and Nuss achieved a fifth-place finish at the World University Championships in Munich in 2018. Building on that experience, they led LSU to the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Championship and secured third place in Gulf Shores, Ala., before clinching the championship on Saturday.

“The international competition opened our eyes,” said Coppola. “It highlighted areas of our game that need improvement in order to compete at that level. We saw different styles of volleyball that we’re not used to playing against Americans. Experiencing these diverse techniques was beneficial for our growth as players.”

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Nuss added, “International play definitely boosted our confidence. Knowing that we could compete at an international level had a significant impact on our performance.”

On the men’s side, Wienckowski and Justice finished in 18th place in Munich. Brewster also gained valuable international experience in 2018 as part of USA Volleyball’s Beach High Performance program. He represented the U.S. team at the Youth Olympic Games, earning a commendable fifth-place finish with his partner, John Schwengel.

This year, Brewster and Wienckowski have already competed in a NORCECA Tour event, where they finished ninth. They will also be participating in the FIVB U21 World Championships in Udonthani, Thailand, later this summer.

Brewster commented on playing against international players, saying, “Those players are amazing. They’re huge, they’re strong, they’re mature, and they have a lot more experience than we typically encounter here. It shows us what we need to work on and how to compete at a high level.”

Wienckowski added, “They consistently do all the little things right. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it motivates us to continue pushing ourselves.”

Both teams will continue their training this summer as part of the U21 National Team, further honing their skills and striving for excellence.

FAQs

1. How many times have Claire Coppola and Kristen Nuss won the USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championships?

Claire Coppola and Kristen Nuss have won the USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championships back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

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2. Did international experience contribute to the success of the winning teams?

Yes, the international experience played a significant role in the success of the winning teams. It exposed them to different styles of volleyball and helped them identify areas for improvement.

3. Where will Tim Brewster and Adam Wienckowski compete later this summer?

Tim Brewster and Adam Wienckowski will be competing at the FIVB U21 World Championships in Udonthani, Thailand.

Conclusion

The champions of the 2018 USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championships, Claire Coppola/Kristen Nuss and Adam Wienckowski/Tim Brewster, have successfully defended their titles in 2019. Their international experience has undoubtedly played a crucial role in their growth as players and their ability to compete at a high level. As they continue their training and participation in upcoming tournaments, their dedication and determination will undoubtedly inspire future athletes in the world of beach volleyball.

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