Vanuatu beach volleyball

This is one of those stories, but it is also so much more. It’s a story of determination and drive, and one that ultimately changed the status quo and inspired a nation.

Just one tournament stands between Vanuatu’s women’s beach volleyball team and a historic berth at the Olympic Games this summer at Tokyo 2020.

Vanuatu will compete in the Asian Continental Cup final in Thailand next month, with the winner to qualify for the women's main draw in Japan.

Vanuatu Beach Volleyball President Debbie Masauvakalo said the women have to be vaccinated if they want to take part in the Olympics.

"Because we are preparing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games and we have to travel out early next month to Bangkok, so it's very important that we come here today and we register and that we get the Covid vaccine so that we can remain safe."

The purpose of the workshop is to develop a Predator vs Prey mindset.

While a number of sports prefer to start on a low, the Vanuatu beach volleyball women’s side is continuing with its high performance training.

The players completed their online sports psychology course from Volleyball Mindset focused on mental training with Jake Hunter, the General Manager of Winning Mindset last week.

Fitness, coaching, sports psychology and team bonding are all elements taken into account for the team.

Taking on tournament hosts New Zealand in yesterday's final in Mount Maunganui, Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko defeated Francesca Kirwan and Olivia MacDonald in straight sets (21-16 21-12) in the opening match before Julia Tilley and Shaunna Polley returned serve against Linline Matauatu and Loti Joe (21-15 21-18) to send the final to a "golden decider".

Pata and Toko once again came up trumps, defeating Tilley and Polley 21-19 21-14 to advance to the Continental Cup final in China in June, from which the winner will qualify for Tokyo.

It was a good start for 18-year-old Bella Lawac and 16-year-old Chantale Willie at the beginning of the tournament as they provided tough competition in their pool games and qualified to the quarterfinals. 

They defeated Australian pair of Levy and Chan 2-1.

It was a tough showdown as they were trailing in the first set 7-21 but regrouped and came back strongly in the third and final set to win 21-16 and 15-6 to book their spot in the semi-final.

The duo, Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko won gold and a prize money of $USD 2,500.

They defeated Japan winning three sets in the semifinals before beating Indonesia in the final.

The event featured 29 men’s teams, and 19 women’s teams from 17 countries.

The Asian Cup Beach Volleyball Open is one of the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s (AVC) annual events.

This is the first time Taiwan has hosted an international beach volleyball tournament of this magnitude.

The tournament, which will be held from 7-11 August 2019 is part of the competition pathway in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Players and teams will be looking to gain ranking points and the increased tournament participation needed to help with Olympic qualification.

The four Vanuatu players are Miller Pata, Sherysyn Toko, Loti Joe, and 18-year-old Maybel Ravo.

There will 20 women’s teams competing in the Asian Tour event with Vanuatu, the only Pacific country in the draw.

Pata and Sherysyn Toko prevailed 21-12, 21-18 on the Apia waterfront yesterday to win Team Vanuatu's second gold medal of the week.

The 31 year old Pata missed the 2015 Games when Vanuatu claimed the silver medal and said it was great to back up the gold medal she won in New Caledonia eight years ago.

"We are really happy to have back the gold medal and yes all our Ni-Van here they are really happy and excited to get back the gold medal."

Joshua Toares and Stivano Banga beat their opponents and hosts Australia (2) by 2-0.

Their next match is scheduled at 4.20pm (ACST).

Vanuatu has three beach volleyball teams competing   in the Arafura Games.

The other team is made up of Miller Pata and Henriette Iatika and the third team has Maybel Ravo and Sherysyn Toko.

Photo supplied 

Vanuatu Volleyball Coach Michel Bargmann said this in a statement after their impressive performance.

Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko outclassed the Russians 21-15 21-12 in the quarterfinals and also defeated Colombia in the semifinals 21-14 14-21 11-15.

“The Russia match was very good, not many problems but we want to improve defence timing and block position,” said Bargmann.

The team media Officer, Christel Homu says the pair have a good chance of scoring more points in the semifinals.