BY KIM MATTHEWS
Five teams from Sylvan Lake competed in Alberta Beach Volleyball’s 3rd youth tournament at the pier on the weekend.
The weather was absolutely perfect for beach volleyball. With great sponsors, music playing and amazing parents and crowds there to cheer on the athletes, players couldn't ask for a better atmosphere than right here in Sylvan Lake. Venues in Calgary and Edmonton, which have more courts, just can’t compare to right here at home, at the beach.
For the U18 teams we had Olivia Barnes with Makenna Barthel (of Red Deer) and Harper Elwood with Whitney Lehman (no results forwarded). There were a total of 16 teams in this age group to provide some really good competition. The skill set is really incredible to watch at this age level, very entertaining beach volleyball.
In the U16 age group, Morgan Lockyer and Erin Matthews played and had some really great games with really close scores but just couldn't pull off the wins. There were 32 teams in this age group and their tournament was held over both Saturday and Sunday playing at total of six games. Saturday afternoon was really hot as we watched teams putting on socks, so as not to burn their feet in the sand.
The U14 girls enjoyed the weather and the competition. There were 20 teams entered in the category and the girls gained valuable experience as they competed against quality competition. Hannah Lynn and Daria Kostiuk were teammates, while Kadey Rosie and Laila Watson teamed up. For both of the Sylvan Lake U14 teams, it was their first beach volleyball competitive experience. The two young teams didn't fare well in the win column but took a lot away from this weekend, learning the rules, watching other players tendencies and understanding more about their own skills which will help them in future tournaments
Good luck to any of the teams registered July 19 and 20th for the fourth youth tournament, again here in Sylvan Lake. The next tournament after that will be provincials in Calgary the August long weekend.