During the hot summer in Canada, Coastal Carolina Beach Volleyball player Emma Kunaus got a surprise chance to compete. The Elite16 tournament, where the world’s best beach volleyball pairs play, was happening in Quebec, just a few hours from her home in Ontario. When some teams withdrew last minute, Emma and her Canadian partner Dana Roskic eagerly stepped in.
“This was a big deal. Coastal has never had a player in the Elite16,” said Collin Wilson, Coastal Beach Volleyball’s Head Coach and the recent Sun Belt Coach of the Year.
The offseason for college beach volleyball is a special time for players. It allows them to represent their universities and countries globally. For Emma, fellow Canadian Maya McNabney, and Danish star Frida Meincke Lyø, this summer meant traveling to compete in high-stakes events.
They participated not only in Canadian and Danish national tours but also in FIVB events, which are crucial for Olympic paths. The FIVB runs three tournament tiers: Futures, Challenger, and Elite16, with the Elite16 showcasing the top talent.
“Your performance earns you points,” Coach Wilson said. “These points determine your ranking for upcoming tournaments, which can ultimately lead you to the Olympics.”
Kunaus and McNabney also took part in NORCECA events, a pathway for athletes from North and Central America and the Caribbean to qualify for the Olympics. Wilson explained, “To qualify, you need to rank as one of the top 12 pairs or win your Continental Cup.” This makes every tournament vital for their Olympic dreams.
For Lyø, the summer wasn’t just about competing internationally. She achieved success at home by winning the Danish national championship. Celebrating her victory, she simply told her coach, “We won.”
Wilson is proud of his players. “It’s exciting to see them take what they’ve learned here and excel,” he said. Lyø’s journey continues, as she’s set to compete in a Challenger event in Veracruz, Mexico, this October. Back at Coastal, she’s been performing impressively, losing only one game this fall.
McNabney has also improved since playing internationally. “Her Continental Cup experience has elevated her game, making her a strong asset for any partner this season,” Wilson noted.
For Wilson, this international exposure isn’t just beneficial; it’s crucial for the future of the Coastal program. He envisions seeing one of his athletes competing in the Olympics. “I want to be there in Los Angeles watching one of our players shine,” he said.
Coming off their first regular-season Sun Belt championship, the Chants have returned to campus for another exciting year. Fall practices on the beach volleyball courts in Conway are in full swing, with scrimmages planned for the semester. Although their official season starts in February, for these seasoned players, the work never truly stops.
In beach volleyball, the journey is ongoing. Each experience, whether national or international, shapes the players into champions. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, the athletes are driven by their dreams of greatness on the global stage.
For more in-depth insights into beach volleyball and Olympic qualifications, check out the FIVB site.
