WA’s top beach volleyball athletes hit the scorching sands of Scarborough Beach this past weekend to compete in the marquee event of the season, the WA Open. The beach front amphitheatre provided the ideal atmosphere for spectators to take in the action on centre court, as the elite teams battled it out for ultimate bragging rights of being named the 2021 State Champions.
The Women’s grand final was a thrilling display of beach volleyball skill and finesse, as the two teams battled valiantly in a close match. The new pairing of Kyla Sanchez and Shelby Maher, each of them proving themselves as winners on the sand in previous years, exchanged rally after rally with eventual silver medallists, Keete Kreen and Caitlin Whincup. After a tight 3 sets, they found themselves on the winner’s podium accepting the gold medal for the Women’s Elite division.
On the Men’s Elite side, the grand final was just as hotly contested, bringing a group of winning beach volleyball faces together on centre court. The experienced and successful Adrian Lee paired up with recent two-time 2020/2021 beach tour gold medallist, Daniel Piggott, who found himself in his fourth straight grand final this season on Sunday. Unfortunately, that winning pair met up with another winning pair in the deciding game, Ky Landers and Caleb Lampard, who were eventually crowned the ‘best in the west’ after a hard-fought game in prime Perth heat.
“We were incredibly fortunate to be able to play our event at Scarborough over the weekend. I would like to acknowledge the beach set-up and pack-down crew, under the leadership of Tournament Director, Kieren Underwood for their fantastic efforts in swiftly packing down the event in light of the snap COVID lock-down on Sunday.” Said Volleyball WA CEO, Robyn Kuhl.
“Volleyball WA are thankful for Healthway and their Alcohol.Think Again message as our naming rights sponsor. Playing volleyball in its many forms and leading a healthy and happy lifestyle is so very important in these challenging times.” Added Kuhl.
“We are also grateful for the support from the City of Stirling. Scarborough Beach is so quintessentially Western Australian, and it is always a pleasure to play our marquee event on the beach at this wonderful venue.”
The next event in the series, pending the newly developing COVID-19 situation, is the inaugural King of the Court event being held in conjunction with the Scarborough Sunset Markets on Thursday 18th February. This event will feature a new and exciting timed format which is sure to thrill the crowds expected to be in the thousands.
Rounds Six and Seven of the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Tour will be held at first-time Regional locations, Geraldton and Mandurah, promising to appeal to the local community. The tour will wrap up in late March at the same place that it began, the City Beach volleyball courts.
For more information about this event or any others on the Alcohol. Think Again Beach Tour, please visit www.volleyballwa.com.au or contact the Volleyball WA office on 9228 8522.