VLY Beach Tour 3* Returns
The Volleyball Ireland VLY Beach Tour 3* Finals returns to Bettystown Beach, Co. Meath this weekend, with Ireland’s top teams battling it out to move up the rankings table. Due to a washed out Saturday programme, the tournament will be played over 1 day from 11am Sunday 4th September.
The inclement weather and wind scheduled for Sunday doesn’t deter defending champion Melissa Cheviron though who said:
“This weekend should be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to some incredible matches. So many players have made huge strides over the Summer and the weather is sure to be a wild card, so we will see who can adjust their strategies against strong wind and strong opponents.”
Speaking of wild cards, Ireland star Alex Graves returns to the country from Poland and can’t wait to get back amongst friends and rivals ,
“I’m really looking forward getting back and playing on the VLY Beach Tour. It promises to be a proper Irish Beach Volleyball tournament – wind, rain, sun and a load of fun! Can’t wait to catch up with everyone.”
Ironically, Graves will be partnering with Cheviron’s previous partner Miriam Gormally. The pair won last year’s event after a thrilling victory over Lituanian sisters Giedre & Zydre Guobyte – the sisters now lead the VLY Beach Tour rankings with 264 & 252 points respectively.
The Men’s programme will feature five teams including young pair Cian Humphreys & Cillian O’Riordain, who return with Bronze from a recent Intl tournament in Cardiff, Humphreys said,
“I can’t wait to get back on the sand and take on some of the best teams in Ireland. We had a great time in Wales which has really helped my game. Really excited to be back playing with Cillian and representing Ennis and County Clare.”
One of the most experienced players at the event will Ivo Teixeira, this time partnering with his King of the Court team mate Jonathan Workman. Teixeira added;
“We’ve add some great tournaments this season and the 3* is the biggest of them all, so I’m very excited and I know the other teams are looking forward to it as well. The level has been high this year and I expect it higher this weekend. The crowd in Bettystown will keep us going and we’ll keep them entertained.”
The event is free entry.
Schedule:
MEN, All Court A
1100 Teixeira/Workman v Iwinski/Polkowski
1200 Valavicius/Viana v Humphreys/O’Riordain
1300 Humphreys/O’Riordain v Teixeira/Workman
1400 Valavicius/Viana v Iwinski/Polkowski
1500 Iwinski/Polkowski v Humphreys/O’Riordain
1600 Valavicius/Viana v Teixeira/Workman
WOMEN Court B 0r C
11:00 B Guobyte / Guobyte v Moloney / Connolly
11:00 C Dzurnak / Rosas v Gormally / Graves
12:00 B Chevrion / Sombrah v Moloney / Connolly
12:00 C Halpin / Lamon v Gormally / Graves
13:00 C Guobyte / Guobyte v Cheviron / Sombrah
13:00 B Halpin / Lamont v Dzurnak / Rosas
13:50 C 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B (optional tbc re: weather)
14:40 B SF 1 > Winner Pool A v Runner Up Pool B
14:40 C SF 2 > Winner Pool B v Runner Up Pool A
15:30 B 3rd > Loser SF 1 v Loser SF 2
16:30 B Final > Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
