Playing in an unfamiliar format, many of the top high school players learned valuable lessons as every win – and point – was critical during competition at the Queen of the Beach Invitational held last weekend in Hermosa Beach.
As part of the USAV Junior Tour, the high school division began with 52 girls from across the country with players switching partners for each game to 21 points in each round of pool play.
Six Mira Costa girls were among the final 16 contestants with Alexia Inman and Piper Monk-Heidrich advancing to the semifinals.
Mima Mirkovich (Woodbridge, Irvine) emerged as Queen of the Beach, outscoring runner-up Natalie Anselmo (Westlake, Thousand Oaks). Lainey Thomas (Frisco, Dallas Tex.) placed third and Paige Dreeuws (San Marcos, San Diego) finished fourth.
“The competition was really tough and it was difficult having a different partner every game, but I’m really happy with the way I played,” Monk-Heidrich said. “I met and played with a lot of new girls that I never would have met nor had the chance to play with if it wasn’t for this tournament. Every game was a whole new situation and you had to think about game plans.”
Monk-Heidrich, who recently finished her sophomore year at Mira Costa and is committed to UCLA, felt the mental challenge was on par with the physical demand.
“Even if you had just won both of the games in your pool then you would have to play with the girl that you had just beaten two times in a row,” Monk-Heidrich said. “If that athlete was frustrated or down because of the losses you had to make sure to help change her mindset and be prepared for the next game all the while making sure you were ready as well.”
Inman enjoyed the tournament and felt communication was the key to her success.
“Eric Fonoimoana did a fantastic job of getting the most talented girls from across the US to play in the first Queen of the Beach Invitational,” Inman said. “To be successful in this type of tournament it is important to be strong in all aspects of the game including hitting, defense, setting and communication. It really is anyone’s game and your spot is never guaranteed. That’s what makes the tournament so interesting; having to be constantly playing like your spot was on the line — because it really was.
“You have to make sure you communicate early, stay positive and learn as much as you can about your partner, before you are halfway through the game. Talking a lot with your partner and staying positive, in any type of beach volleyball format, helps gives both you and your partner a better connection together and “catch fire” in games.”
The boys tournament was re-named Emperor of the Beach starting with 20 athletes with Manhattan Beach’s Dane Johnson finishing in a first-place tie with Santa Monica’s John Schwengel. Will Rottman) Santa Barbara) and Marcus Partain (Pacific Palisades) finished, third and fourth, respectively.
The College Queen of the Beach tournament also featured 20 athletes and was won by Sammy Thomas (Long Beach State) followed by Nicolette Martin (USC), Rachel Nieto (Long Beach State) and Sierra Sanchez (Florida State).
On Thursday, the USAV Olympic Day competition was held with the Manhattan Beach duo of Gavin Gasperov and Jack Hopkins winning the Boys U13 championships.
In girls competition, Manhattan Beach’s Kevyn Clark teamed with Ella Reibholz (Santa Monica) for a second-place finish in the U13 division and the Manhattan Beach tandem of Jenna Colligan and Bella Young captured gold in the U12 division.
