Bermuda’s beach volleyball stars face the pros in tour debuts – The Royal Gazette

Current: Nov 10, 2022 09:31 AM

Lisa LeBlanc, appropriate, and Allison Settle will be representing Bermuda in the Cayman Islands

Bermuda’s volleyball players will crack new floor when they fly out to the Cayman Islands on Thursday.

Two male groups and just one woman crew are off to get element in the North, Central The us and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Seashore Tour, with the island becoming represented for the initially time at the occasion, which starts off on Friday.

With 4 groups split into four swimming pools of 4 and the major two from each individual team likely into the quarter-finals, Bermuda’s newbies are guaranteed at the very least three video games against mainly experienced players from nations such as the United States, Canada and Mexico

Brandon Sousa (ideal) and Ian Bucci are established to set up a excellent demonstrate in tour celebration

For Brandon Sousa, 25, it is an exciting excursion to be a section of and he is enthusiastic at the prospect of testing his competencies from some elite-degree opponents.

“I’m absolutely on the lookout ahead to it and as it’s the very first time Bermuda has competed in this tournament, it is excellent working experience for us,” Sousa claimed.

“We have a little bit of an strategy of what we’re up versus. It will be a substantial calibre of play and a ton of the teams are essentially planet ranked. Bermuda does not have a position yet since we have hardly ever competed in a seaside volleyball party but a good deal of groups have been on the tour for pretty some time so there are a good deal of professional players for us to experience.

“This will be the initial time for all of us at this level, some of the other gamers have participated in Island Games but we’ve hardly ever been up versus persons who are in most cases professional and do this for their livelihood.”

Armed with the understanding of his opponents’ skill, Sousa is not environment higher targets for himself and the other teams with the primary objective ascertaining wherever they stand in relation to elite-stage groups.

“Our anticipations are just to get as a great deal practical experience as attainable actively playing towards these people,” he said. “We never be expecting to be a fairly substantial-performing group and contend for the medals, I think that is honest to say.

“We’re anticipating to have at least 3 game titles there and with any luck , we can pull out a get in one of these video games and progress to a quarter-closing and go from there.”

With just two gamers on every aspect, there is no position to conceal on a seaside volleyball court and forming a good romance with your companion is essential to good results. Sousa is paired with the seasoned Ian Bucci and feels that they are properly matched.

“I’ve played with Ian for very some time indoors and now in seaside,” Sousa reported.

“Ian has a bit extra encounter on the seaside than I do so getting him is a significant plus for me. He’s equipped to converse with me and manual me via a large amount of the matters going on. Ian is predominantly an attacker and blocker on the courtroom and I’m a defender so individuals talent sets we possess mesh nicely with each individual other for us to carry out proficiently.

Sousa grew up in a volleyball-enjoying family members and it’s fair to say that his accurate enthusiasm for the sport has been handed down to him.

“My initially intercontinental match arrived when I was 12 so I’ve been taking part in very a very long time at intercontinental stage but I have been taking part in considering that I was a young kid,” Sousa mentioned. “My mom was on the Bermuda countrywide group for very a although and I’m pursuing in her footsteps.

Sousa’s enjoy of seashore volleyball is what drives him to prepare quite a lot every day with his lifestyle revolving around function and outings to the seashore.

“I get the job done for the federal government in the financial progress department,”Sousa explained. Volleyball is something I get pleasure from and I’m passionate about. Me and my spouse, as properly as the other teams, are down at the seaside for 5.30pm after function and we teach until the sunshine doesn’t allow us to practice any much more. Then on the weekends at 8.30am, I’m down on the beach, so I’m there as much as achievable acquiring the reps in and focusing on my occupation throughout the working day.

Kyle Hamilton, correct, and Ryan Davies are one particular of three Bermuda groups

Bermuda’s other squad users are Lisa LeBlanc, Allison Settle, Kyle Hamilton and Ryan Davies. These interested in following their progress can visit Norceca.web.