Cook Islands Under-20 women’s pair Cydella Tanielu and Nimeha Beniamina-Neagle with coach Alanna Smith. CIVF/26101424
Making the transition from indoor courts to the sand has been a learning experience for the Cook Islands’ under-20 beach volleyball players, who continued to test themselves against experienced international opposition on day two of the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship yesterday.
The national under-20 men faced Australia and New Zealand, while the under-20 women took on Guam and Vanuatu. All four visiting teams swept their matches in straight sets at the Nikao Beach Courts.
In the U20 men’s division, Zachari Tuatai and Travis Beniamina-Neagle lost 10-21 and 15-21 to Australia, while brothers Caleb and Jacob Heath went down 9-21 and 11-21 against New Zealand.
The U20 women also faced challenging matches, with Elizabeth Akaruru and Te Kura Tamangaro losing 8-21 and 14-21 to Guam, while Cydella Tanielu and Nimeha Beniamina-Neagle fell 18-21 and 12-21 to Vanuatu.
Despite the results, Cook Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) beach commissioner Tiare Karaponga said she was proud of the local players’ efforts against more experienced opponents from New Zealand, Australia and across the region.
She said the men’s players generally trained more frequently, with some dedicated specifically to beach volleyball, while most of the women’s players came from indoor volleyball.
“Although they’re from indoor, they have improved heaps on the sand and they’re doing so well,” Karaponga said.
She added that most of the U20 women’s players were still recovering from injuries after recently returning from an overseas competition.
Action from day two of the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship yesterday. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/26101413
Despite these challenges, their efforts were acknowledged and appreciated.
Karaponga said interest in beach volleyball had grown since the federation began rebuilding the sport last year, with the latest championship providing another opportunity for local players to compete against international teams.
She said the growing interest had been encouraging, with the federation hoping to continue developing the sport and hosting more competitions.
The championship has brought together teams from the Cook Islands and nine visiting nations – American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Kiribati, Naoero, New Zealand, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Competition continues at Nikao Beach Courts, with the public encouraged to support the local and visiting teams. Entry is free, with matches scheduled through Thursday ahead of Friday’s finals.
Results are being shared on the Cook Islands Volleyball Federation Facebook page.