Volleyball: The girls of summer

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Forget image of sand and skimpy outfits, beach volleyball is more serious than that.

It is, after all, an Olympic sport and one firmly in the sights of Lucy Todd and Susan Blundell.

After the rounds of the holiday spots, the national beach volleyball tour heads to the city next week with the New Zealand Open taking centre stage, or should that be centre court, at the ASB Tennis Centre.

Todd and Blundell finished fifth at last year's open - edged out of the semifinals by international teams.

"Playing in Auckland is great," says Todd. "It is really exciting. It is the highlight of our year here and the sport's showcase."

Todd and Blundell, like others, switched from indoor volleyball - where they were both New Zealand representatives - to the sand.

With the 2004 Athens Olympics firmly in their sights, the pair have put their studies on hold for a year. It will be no armchair ride.

With the local season behind them, they continued their winning way at the Ohope Beach tournament yesterday, seeing off an American duo in the semifinals and German Judith Diester and her New Zealand partner, Rebecca Reidy in the final.

The New Zealanders, playing as Team Comvita, will play Mt Maunganui this weekend in the hope of accumulating enough points to gain direct entry to next weekend's open.

There is a further qualifying tournament on Waiheke Island next Tuesday/Wednesday. After the NZ Open, Todd and Blundell, will be back on the international circuit, including the tough Asian tour.

"We finished in the top six on that circuit last year which was a really good result," says Todd. "The world stage is much bigger. There are about 100 teams competing at each event. Ultimately they are all chasing a place at the Olympics.

"We had a couple of 31st placings last year which is just outside where we need to be [inside the top 24] for Athens.

"It is a full-time commitment for us. It is a year-round sport. Our only break will be a week off in late October or early November."

A lot of sand will be kicked up before then as the pair try to boost their world ranking and prove they are worthy of Olympic selection.

"The sport's image has changed," says Todd. "But both the men's and women's games here are getting stronger. The skimpy uniforms are still part of it. So is the music and the fun. But a lot more, including television, are now taking it seriously."

With the Olympics as an incentive, why not?

WHO TO WATCH FOR

MEN

Martin and Paul Laciga (Switzerland)

The brothers (Martin is 27, 1.95m tall, Paul 32, 1.94m) have been among the world's top five teams for several years, and have played 95 World Tour events in the last seven years.

Won the European championship in 1999 and 2000 and were runners-up at the world championships in 1999. Won last year's New Zealand Open final.

Dain Blanton (US) and Alemao Loss (Brazil)

Blanton (31 and 1.87m) won the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics three years ago with Eric Fonoimoana. Became the first African-American to win a major tour title, when he won the Hermosa Grand Slam in 1997. Loss (32 and 1.89m) is a former world champion who toured New Zealand in 2000, winning the Auckland tournament that year.

Craig Seuseu and Owen Ranfurly (NZ)

Seuseu (31 and 1.90m) has been New Zealand's top-ranked player for the last five years, racking up 39 tournament wins and 11 on the Asian circuit. Won the 2001 New Zealand title with American Nick Hannermann. Ranfurly (35 and 1.95m) was Seuseu's partner as New Zealand's top combination in the mid-1990s, playing eight world tour events together and have reunited this season.

Kirk Pitman and Haydn Jones (NZ)

Pitman (21 and 1.92m) is the brightest New Zealand prospect. The Whangarei-based Pitman played at the world junior championships last year and his biggest achievement was winning last year's Asian championships in China with Jones (28 and 1.97m), a Tauranga schoolteacher.

WOMEN

Nicole Sanderson and Annette Huygens-Tholen (Australia)

The hard-hitting Sanderson (26 and 1.83m) played three events in New Zealand last year and is one of the rising stars of the sport. Is likely to join up with Sydney Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook on this year's world tour. Huygens-Tholen (37 and 1.70m) has been on the world tour since 1993, and represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics.

Lucy Todd and Susan Blundell (NZ)

Todd (25 and 1.90m) has played on the world tour for the last two seasons, with Sarah Drummond in 2001 and Blundell last year. Named the women's MVP on the last two New Zealand tours, she is renowned for her determination and skill in the back court. Blundell (20 and 1.87m), like Todd living in Tauranga, is highly rated as a strong blocker and hitter.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

This weekend: Mount Maunganui, third leg of the New Zealand series.

Next Tuesday/Wednesday: New Zealand Open qualifying tournament, Waiheke Island.

Next Friday-Sunday: New Zealand Open, ASB Tennis Centre.