Cook Islands open men’s pair Brendon Heath and Atatoa Herman kicked off the national team’s Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship campaign with a win over Vanuatu yesterday. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/26101309
Cook Islands opened the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship with an intense men’s victory over Vanuatu, kicking off a four-day home tournament featuring seven local teams and nine visiting nations.
National reps Brendon Heath and Atatoa Herman kicked off the Cook Islands’ campaign at Nikao Beach Courts yesterday, securing a victory over Vanuatu.
The Cook Islands’ top-seeded open men’s pair, captained by Heath, battled through the heat to win two sets to one in an intense match.
Cook Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) vice-president Kaitini Herman-Estall said the pair performed well in the conditions, making for an exciting start to the Cook Islands’ campaign in the competition.
The national team’s first under-20 men’s pair, Zachari Tuatai and Travis Beniamina-Neagle, later faced Kiribati, with the visiting team taking a 2-0 win.
Despite the loss, their efforts were acknowledged and praised by the Cook Islands team, while Kiribati supporters cheered from the sidelines as their pair secured the victory.
The second Cook Islands’ under-20 men’s pair, brothers Caleb and Jacob Heath, also made their debut yesterday, taking on Australia. Australia won the match.
Matches were still underway when this report was filed yesterday afternoon, with the Cook Islands’ women’s teams scheduled to take the court later in the day.
Cook Islands U20 player Zachari Tuatai attempts to block Kiribati’s spike. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/26101313
Cook Islands entered seven teams in the championship, comprising two open men’s teams, two under-20 men’s teams, one open women’s team and two under-20 women’s teams.
The tournament has brought together teams from American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Kiribati, Naoero, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and New Zealand, alongside hosts the Cook Islands.
Herman-Estall said the Cook Islands teams had been placed in separate pools during the early stages, although they could meet later in the competition.
She encouraged the public to visit the beach courts and support the local and visiting teams, with entry free of charge.
Matches are scheduled to run from 9am until approximately 5pm or 6pm through Thursday, with the finals to be held on Friday.
Those interested in volunteering can visit the courts and speak with Herman-Estall.
The championship is supported by Vodafone Cook Islands, Cook Islands General Transport and The Edgewater Resort and Spa.
Results will be posted on the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation Facebook page.