It’s late July and the first set of a sweaty, scrappy beach volleyball game has just concluded. Eva Kováčová, a junior exchange student from Slovakia, is now ready to advance into the next set, a short fight to 21 points. Kováčová is no stranger to the sport as she has played for a large portion of her life.
“I’ve been playing for a long time, probably about six years now with pauses during Covid and injuries,” said Kováčová.
Beach volleyball has just recently gained popularity due to the Paris summer Olympics. Debuting as a sport in the Atlanta 1996 summer games, beach is a newer but exciting sport to watch. With Sweden winning gold for men, and Brazil winning gold for women, the professional skill is very widespread around the world, providing high level competition for years to come. Many people are fascinated by the fast and aggressive plays when watching the sport. This is largely because the sport uses two players as opposed to regular indoor volleyball, which requires six, leading to jaw-dropping plays as the athletes are required to cover more ground while racing through the stiff sand.
“All the crazy plays and saves are fun to watch especially at a high level like the Olympics,” said freshman volleyball player, Christian Hoyle.
In addition, due to the increased access to public courts, many young people have started to play beach. Growing amounts of parks in Minnesota have installed sand courts like Bruce Russell Park, Bde Maka Ska, Snail Lake Regional Park, and more. This accommodation is very convenient for younger generations as the sport requires no extra supplies other than a ball.
“Wherever I go there tends to be a sand volleyball net which is nice because then me and my friends can avoid the hassle of setting up our own,” said Junior Greta Christiansen, a varsity volleyball player for Minnehaha Academy.
Because the sport is generally more contemporary, many people who play the sport are former indoor players. This is a similar story to Kováčová’s mom who was both an indoor and outdoor athlete.
“My mom played indoor volleyball in college, but then switched to recreational beach volley,” said Kováčová.
Not only are most athletes former indoor players, but many tend to play both variations for maximum practice opportunities. Paige Weiland, a junior at Cretin Derham Hall has played both forms of volleyball, and seen the impact immensely in her skill and play.
“I learned to make smart decisions on where to tip and hit the ball which I still use in my day to day play,” said Weiland “Not only can it help with skill but it can transform you into a more effective player as the game forces you to go for every ball.”
At the division 1 collegiate level, 54 beach volleyball programs are available, this makes for more diversity in the area of volleyball and multiple choices for volleyball players.
But in Slovakia the chance of youth carrying their beach volleyball career with them is slim.
“It is very rare, in fact I’ve never heard of anyone going to college for beach volleyball,” said Kováčová “Some people go to college for indoor volleyball, but it’s not many.”
Many beach volleyball clubs have their season during the summer and early fall, this is due to the weather’s varying conditions, this is why Minnesota’s season is late April into mid august. Although some clubs do offer indoor volleyball all year round, which is partly practiced on inside sand courts. For example, Slovakia and other European countries practice outdoor the whole year and offer it as a full time club sport.
“I have [club] practice with other girls my age during the whole year,” said Kováčová.
Although indoor and outdoor club volleyball have similarities, they also have differences as all indoor tournaments are required when you are placed on a team, outdoor tournaments are optional, and you and your teammate sign up for the sessions you are available for.
“A lot of kids end up playing beach volleyball because of the flexibility, said Megan Thurow, the Minnehaha varsity volleyball coach and vital sand league coach “In general, the tournaments are different than indoor because they tend to be a little more relaxed.
With the rise in popularity many clubs have expanded, and even built their own gyms. Playing for Draždiak Beach Club, Kováčová has gotten to see the growth of the sport first hand.
“My club is one of the biggest with 20 courts inside, and the most players,” said Kováčová. “It has grown a lot like 300% more kids and players have joined in the last few years.”
Although beach volleyball can help you to become more aware of the court and teach you to be a scrappy player, it can also teach you life long lessons.
“Beach volleyball has taught me to be more patient and wait for the right moment,” said Kováčová.
The sport can also draw you closer to mentors in your life and lead you to meet new people.
“It has connected me with my mom more and brought so many new friends into my life,” said Kováčová.