Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 is set to light up Koombana Bay once again with more than 150 teams set to compete for the Australian underage beach volleyball titles.
The crown jewel of the Australian junior beach volleyball season, Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 will see Australia’s best junior teams compete in the Australian Under 23 and Junior Beach Volleyball Championships across six days of competition.
“Following the overwhelming success of Volley by the Bay in 2018, we are delighted to welcome back so many teams from around the country and once again showcase WA’s south west.” Volleyball WA Chief Executive Officer Robyn Kuhl said.
The number of teams sets a national junior beach volleyball participation record with 125 teams set to compete for an Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championship title. Western Australia lead the field with 33 teams, however 2018 overall Andy Burdin Shield winners Queensland head in to the competition with 25 teams and will be keen to once again collect the win.
“Last year’s junior athletes turned it on and produced some sensational games for the crowds. This year we look forward to bigger hits, sharper serves and higher calibre game play once again. Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 is quickly becoming one beach party fans don’t want to miss.” Kuhl added.
Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 gets underway on Saturday the 13th with the combined Under 21 and 23 Beach Volleyball Championships. WA’s Greg Hunt and Maksim Bacovic go in to the competition as number one seed and will be keen to better their silver from 2018. However the duo will face tough competition from South Australia’s Lucas Mark Seymour and Henry Ambagtsheer, as well as fellow West Australian young guns Ky Landers and Caleb Lampard. Landers is in hot form following a late call up to the Australian team for the Asian Under 23 Beach Volleyball Championships and eventual silver medal in the championship.
While in the women’s Under 23 competition Queensland’s Mears twins enter as the number one seed. Kayla and Brianna Mears finished second in 2018 and at only 16 the sisters clearly aren’t distracted by the fact that they are one of the youngest teams in the competition. The duo recently returned from the Asian Under 23 Beach Volleyball Championships were they finished equal fifth. The youngest team in the competition is number two seed NSW’s Stefanie Fejes and Jesse Mann, while WA’s Tessa Brown and Sarah Burton enter as the third seed.
The Optus Volley by the Bay Live Results will be available for the entire event thanks to Optus’ support. Optus are also powering the Live Stream of the U23 and selected Junior Beach Volleyball Championship finals and will be available on Volleyball WA’s Facebook page.
Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 will start with the Australian U23 Beach Volleyball Championships on the 13th and 14th of April, followed by the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships from the 15th to the 18th.
More information about the Optus Volley by the Bay 2019 event can be found HERE.