Monash Mixed beach volleyball rookies win gold at Nationals Div 1

The winning Monash Mixed beach volleyball team.

Back L-R: Koen Tchia, Anika Duggan, Darcy Bolton.

Front L-R: Ellie Adler, Alex Siu, Tiffany Yeo. 

One of Monash’s fastest growing varsity sports teams have claimed the ultimate prize at 2019 Unisport Nationals Division 1.

The Mixed beach volleyball team were representing Monash in a Division 1 competition on the Gold Coast for the first time last week, and have returned to Melbourne as champions after defeating Victoria University 2-0 in the final match of the intense one week competition.

The team, a mix of indoor and outdoor players, flew through the tournament, only dropping one set in the first four games.

The quarter final saw Monash defeat Griffith University 2-1, before they met the University of Queensland in the semi-final and came out on top in straight sets against the 2018 Nationals Division 1 champions. 

Four-time Nationals representative for Monash Ellie Adler said the quarter final against Griffith University was the hardest in a week of challenging games and unpredictable weather conditions.

"They were a phenomenal team, their skill was incredible, so for us it was about doing an offensive play when we could. It was a game of skill, and it was a testament to both teams," Ellie said. 


"I was a bit more nervous. We needed to hype each other up as a team, and sort of fake it till we make it."

Having not previously competed in Div 1, and with limited time training together, the Monash team were unsure how they would stack up against the best university teams in Australia. 

The changing wind add extra uncertainty to each match, but Ellie said the team were helped by the support of the Monash Cheer team, and their reliable game plan. 

"We were actually more successful on the windier days, because we didn't over complicate the game," Ellie said.

"It was pretty awesome to have two Victorian teams in the final, because Queensland is known for their beach volleyball."

"We played that game in really windy conditions, but to be able to play a really good game of volleyball is an absolute joy." 

Before this year, the Men’s Doubles were the only beach volleyball team to represent Monash University at Nationals Div 1, but 2019 Nationals Div 1 were host to a Monash Men’s and Women’s Doubles, as well as the Mixed team. 

The Men’s Doubles team, which won Nationals Div 2 earlier this year, had a strong start to the competition, winning all their matches of the main draw and then defeating Griffith University in the quarter final. Unfortunately they were then defeated by University of Sydney in the Semi Final, and finished up fourth overall after losing to University of Queensland in the Bronze medal playoff.

The Women’s Doubles also performed well against tough competition, and managed to finish strongly in fifth place after defeating Edith Cowan University in the playoff for fifth and sixth.

All three teams have cemented their spot in Nationals Division 1 next year, and have set the bar high for future beach volleyball teams representing Monash in varsity competition.

Written by Nell O'Shea Carre, Media Coordinator.