BEACH VOLL: The Australian women’s team has won the Oceania Continental Cup beach volleyball competition on the Cook Islands, but the Australian men had their colours lowered by New Zealand.
The women’s teams of Nikki Laird and Mariafe Artacho del Solar, and Becchara Palmer and Jordan Mowen, beat Vanuatu 2-0 in the gold medal playoff.
The men’s teams of Damien Schumann and Josh Court, and Bo Soderberg and Cole Durant, lost 2-1 to New Zealand.
Although the result has no bearing for Australia on qualification for next year’s Asian Olympic qualifiers, it gave all four Australian teams a chance to experience the competition format against teams that will challenge them for Rio spots next year.
Australia had already qualified for next year’s qualifiers as host nation.
The Oceania Cup was played to a Davis Cup tennis format, with two teams representing each nation, and a “golden game” played if the match was locked at one-all.
“It was a good tournament for us as a whole unit,” Laird said.
“Both teams played a very aggressive style of volleyball, which helped us come away with the win. It’s good preparation for Asian Continental Cup next year, but we’re all still very clear on the big picture, and know there’s still a lot more to go.”
Palmer, who competed at the 2012 London Olympics with Louise Bawden, said it was nice to play as a team.
“The Davis Cup style of play was really unique, but I think everyone really enjoyed it,” Palmer said.
“Everyone has done their bit to get the Aussie flag atop that flagpole today, and it feels great.”
In the men’s competition, Durant and Soderberg won their pool match, but Court and Schumann lost to New Zealand top seeds, Mike Watson and Sam O’Dea.
In a gripping golden point match, O’Dea and Watson held on to beat Durant and Soderberg 28-26, 15-21, 15-9.
An announcement is expected soon on which Australian beach will host the Asian Zonal Olympic qualification tournament next year.
Australia's top women's team of Taliqua Clancy and Bawden are well placed to secure an automatic place at the Rio Games with their current world ranking.
Ross Solly for Volleyball Australia
