For most people a day playing in the sand is a great break from the work-week and a time to relax.
But for 14-year-old Journey Flewell and 15-year-old Jayda Aasman of Red Deer, it’s a time to get busy.
The two Gateway Christian School students are off to the Alberta Summer Games to compete in the sport of beach volleyball.
Wayne Halliday, who operates the Sylvan Lake Volleyball Club, has watched the girls progress in the sport as both have come out to his beach events to get some practice in for various competitions.
“Last year they won U14 provincials and they went to nationals and won a silver.
“They’re really talented for being that young,” he said. “Their ball control is exceptional for their age and they way they can read the defenses.”
The ability to play the game has led to a lot of success for the two girls as they teamed up to win the provincial junior high school title this past June.
The pair has taken skills they’ve learned while playing the indoor game to the beach version of volleyball which Halliday says has allowed them to reach this measure of success.
“The good foundation for passing and developing ball control from indoor and then strong approaches at the net for hitting.”
Halliday says the two girls know each other very well which translates into some good chemistry during a match as to who is taking the ball on different shots, and they also trust each other to be in the right spot.
“The demeanor towards each other is really positive which sometimes breaks down in beach because sometimes beach can be very frustrating,” he said.
“They have a very good concept of what they need to achieve as team mates which is pretty good.”
This week at the games their cooperation will be put to the test as they will play several matches against teams from other zones over a two-day period but Halliday believes the girls will come back with a medal partly due to their strong connection on the sand.
“I really like how they respect each other and how well they get along as in encouraging each other and cheering each other on and when somebody does something well they’re excited for them.”
The Alberta Summer Games run until July 27th in Airdrie.
sports@reddeerexpress.com
