Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball: a sandy season
Zia Eger-Slobig '25
Junior Copy Editor
Beach volleyball found its origin in Santa Monica and became a popularized recreational sport in the early 1920s. Despite originating from indoor volleyball, there is a difference in rules and procedures. Unlike indoor volleyball, beach volleyball can only field two players per side of the court. Beach volleyball is also a shorter game, scored through the best of three sets compared to indoor’s five sets.
There are two crucial positions in beach volleyball: the blocker and the defender. If you have ever played Wii or Nintendo volleyball, it is using these positions. However, unlike the strictly defined five positions in indoor volleyball, these roles in beach volleyball are more fluid.
Our beach volleyball team consists of some of our indoor volleyball team members. For these athletes, beach volleyball is more than a recreational hobby; it’s a source of purpose and passion. Many of these players are also members of a volleyball club team, not just their high school teams.
Although this is not our highest winning sport, it has a special place within Louisville.
“I really liked how we all got to drive to the beach everyday together and watch the sunset after practice. It was just a nice way to end the long school day. I really enjoyed building bonds with my teammates in a more one on one way since beach is played with just two people instead of six,” Expressed by former beach volleyball player, Emma Ognjanovic ’22, as she shared her fondness for the team dynamic.
She went on to reflect that, even though she has graduated, Louisville will always hold a significant place in her heart. She made friends that are still a part of her life as well as valuable memories that will last a lifetime during her time on the team.
“The most enjoyable part is by far the inclusion of girls with various athletic backgrounds. You don't have to be an experienced volleyball player to do well and have fun on the sand. Like most sports, it's a great way to meet and connect with girls you might not have talked to much before. I especially love the effort and drive required by both players to succeed in a match. Beach could definitely become a larger aspect of Louisville sports if the teams decide, part of its charm is its relatively smaller size; however, it could only improve with commitment and growth,” said current beach volleyball player, Dawson Wheeler ’25.
The 2024 beach volleyball team standing on the steps of St. Louis Hall
Another teammate, Sofia Archibeck ’25, mentioned that she finds it enjoyable “that beach is only with one other person, especially because my partner is one of my closest friends, Anabelle [Pedrosian ’25]. In comparison to club and school volleyball, you are on a court with six other players so it’s a completely different dynamic. You are also responsible for different roles, not just one limiting one like on the court so it’s definitely more running.”
She thinks that if more people become aware of beach volleyball it could become a bigger part of the Louisville community.
Beach volleyball is not just a sport, but also a shared experience that fosters the growth of relationships. Unlike other sports beach volleyball does not require experience for it to be an enjoyable experience. Beach volleyball is able to unify girls of various walks of life in a beautifully scenic location.