It has been a busy few weeks on the International Beach Volleyball scene and our NSW athletes have certainly been making their presence known.

Talented NSW teen Asher Gill alongside teammate Luka Sazdov (QLD), both 16, bagged the silver medal in the 16U Division at the USA Volleyball Junior Beach  Nationals held July 17-19, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The dynamic duo, ventured across the Pacific to compete in one of the most highly respected junior tournaments in American beach volleyball. There were over 40 teams in their division alone and saw participation from some of the best junior players from around the country.

Coached by Miami local and AVP Pro Dave Palm, their semi-final victory against the top-seeded US team was a highlight of the tournament, marking them as serious contenders for the title. Their journey from the shores of Australia to the sands of Florida has been a testament to their hard work, determination, and love for the sport. As they return home with silver around their necks, one thing is clear: this is just the beginning for Asher Gill and Luka Sazdov.

The boys also competed in the 18U Division of the USA Volleyball Junior Beach Nationals in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend, where they finished 5th. In a month, they will likely return to Manhattan Beach, CA where they clinched a win in the Cal Cup 16U tour. The invite-only Cal Cup Championships, CBVA’s Premier Tour Invitational Championship, will showcase only ten teams per division and will be held during the iconic AVP Manhattan Beach tournament alongside the famous Manhattan Beach Pier on August 19th and 20th, 2023.

Adding to this Australian achievement, Asher Gill, teaming up with Jett Rocker-Graham, secured a respectable 5th place in the 16U Division’s Gold bracket of the AVP Junior National Tournament held in Hermosa Beach, CA July 7-9.

Jett played in a AA tournament with fellow Manly resident Jean Gregoire in Long beach where they place 3rd which earned them a AA rating in the USA. He also played in the California Beach Volleyball tournament in Manhattan Beach in the U18 division with Cody Ellymer from the USA where they placed second, losing a very tight final 28-26.

Jett loved competing in the USA and has earned a great deal of experience.  He is off to the Youth Commonwealth Games next week.  We wish him the best of luck and will be eagerly following his results.

Meanwhile back at the AVP Junior National Tournament held in Hermosa Beach, CA, in the 18U Division’s Gold, Adam Fejes and Adax Brienen made their mark, attaining 5th place. These boys’ impressive performances further cements the Australian and NSW presence in junior beach volleyball on an international level.

“Adax and I came 5th in a AA in Santa Monica and then won an A the next day in Santa Monica as well-meaning we got out AA rating. Then in the AVP U18 nationals we came 5th only losing games to the teams that came 1st and 2nd in the comp,” Adam said.

The exposure our players are getting, at this level will further enhance their development and success in the future.  

“It was great experience in the USA training and meeting great people and players in Santa Cruz and playing some high-quality competitions in LA. It was awesome to play beside the pros playing in the AVP and being immersed in the atmosphere of such a big tournament with so many people who love volleyball everywhere,” Adam continued.

While Adam was succeeding in the US, sister Stefie Fejes was dominating the sand in Asia alongside team mate Jasmine Fleming. The pair took out the women’s gold medal match on Sunday16th July at the 5th Asian Volleyball Confederation U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Thailand.

Fejes and Fleming didn’t have it all their way throughout the tournament but played with grit and guile to push their way through. A pool match loss to one of the home teams forced a quarter-final match-up with China which went the distance, however the Australian pair eventually triumphed 15-11 in the decider to move through to the final day of the tournament.

Their semi-final was a rematch of their pool match loss, however the Aussie duo had learnt their lessons and dominated in a 2:0 win (21-14, 21-14) to move into the final against the top-ranked team from the home nation.

Australia edged ahead late in the first set to win 21-13 and take the upper hand, however the second set was a tighter affair. Down a set-point at 21-22, the Aussies reeled off three straight points to claim the set and the title.

It brought back-to-back success for Fejes who won the event with Alisha Stevens in 2021, becoming just the third player in history to win the Asian U21 Championship twice.

“It’s such an amazing feeling to be a part of the 3 athletes to win the u21 Asian championships twice and I’m only 18!! I’m so excited to see what I can push for next,” Stefie said.

Stefie, Adam, Adax, Asher, Jett, and all of the players above share one thing - a passion for the sport of beach volleyball.  That passion, dedication and hard work is evident in their successes.

We asked Stefie what advice she would have for our NSW future stars of Volleyball and she said -

“My biggest piece of advice would be to dream big and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep challenging yourself cause age is just a number and with hard work and perseverance you can do whatever you put your mind to!!