Comeback queens and defending champions rain supreme

While the rain poured down at Coolangatta Beach, it didn’t dull the competition on display, as Jack Pearse and D’Artagnan Potts, and Stefie Fejes and Jazz Rayner, crowned Mahindra Australian Beach Volleyball Champions.

It was back-to-back Mahindra Australian Beach Volleyball Tour wins for Jack Pearse and D’Artagnan Potts, who took out the opening round at Glenelg Beach in February.

The South Australian duo were neck and neck with training partners and rivals Justin Schumann and Solomon Bushby in a three set affair, but Potts/Pearse capitalised on a late swing in momentum to seal the win.

“It’s finally nice to have someone lift the ‘tour leader’ curse, because apparently whenever someone gets this singlet they never go back-to-back,” Potts said.

“So it’s nice to disprove that. Couldn’t have asked for a better game from the boys (Justin and Solomon) – they played outstanding,” he said.

“I was pretty nervous…they were siding out like machines and we just had to keep being patient,” Pearse added.

“We scrambled right until the end, and got the last two blocks to finish the game. It was just the sheer and utter will to win that game in the end,” he said.

With a few days of rest ahead, Potts/Pearse, as well as the rest of the Australian contingent will return to Coolangatta Beach from Wednesday for the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures event.

“A lot of rest and recovery tonight and tomorrow, and then back to training on Tuesday and Wednesday,” Pearse said.

“On the sand from Thursday, and we’ll be ready to go,” he said.

Playing in their first ever competition together, Stefie Fejes and Jazz Rayner defended six match points against Germany’s Anna Gruene and Sandra Ittlinger to claim the win.

“Oh my goodness that was crazy…what just happened? We stuck to the process in the end, and had each other’s backs, I think that was the key,” Rayner said.

“To be honest that was our goal (winning gold) coming into this. Even though we hadn’t played together…I think setting your goals super high and the fact we were able to do it is incredible, I’m so proud of us,” Fejes added.

“I feel like we had everyone on our side, from all different corners. It was so good to look up and have someone cheering for you…we really appreciate all the support,” she said.

Looking ahead to the Beach Pro Tour Futures, Fejes said they can’t help but be excited.

“(This win will give us) lots of momentum. This is what we want to do and now we get to experience it against the rest of the world…let’s go!” she said.

Earlier in the day, it was American’s Kaeli Crews and Erica Brok who took out the women’s gold medal match, and Coolangatta’s own Rob Reeves and his partner Matt Abela claiming men’s bronze honours.

Volleyslam continues at Coolangatta Beach tomorrow with the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships, before the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour gets underway on Wednesday 11 March and Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup from Friday 13 March. For more information – click here