AUSSIES READY FOR WORLD UNIVERSITY BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BRAZIL

As the countdown heats up to the World University Beach Volleyball Championships in Maceio, Brazil, two Australian teams are putting the finishing touches on their preparations.

Caitlin Bettenay will team up with Jasmine Fleming to represent Australia, with Jana Milutinovic and Kayla Mears also set to pair for the event.

The 2022 FISU World University Championships will be held in Maceio, Brazil, with the beach volleyball competition set to get underway on Tuesday 6 September through to Saturday 10 September.

Mears said she is looking forward to the opportunity to representing her country, at her first international competition with Miluntinovic.

“I am super excited to compete at the World University Championships this week,” Mears said.

“This is our first international competition as a team, so Jana and I are ready to give it everything we’ve got.

“We’ve been training really hard over the past few months and I can’t wait to step out on court and give it everything,” she said.

Like most elite athletes, while training hard to achieve on the sand, Mears has also been pursuing a career off the court, and working through the challenges of balancing dual pathways.

“Jana and I have been training full time over the past three months whilst also balancing our university studies and work commitments,” Mears said.

“It certainly hasn’t been easy – whether it’s been managing injury or illness on top of everything else, it’s fair to see we’ve had some challenges thrown at us.

“But I’m feeling immensely grateful for this opportunity and am proud to be able to represent myself, my team and my country in Brazil. 

“Our goal is to deliver our best every day, both on and off the court,” she said.For more information on the 2022 World University Championships – click here