Eagles hit the sand at Marmonte League tournament

Oak Park High School boys beach volleyball took the sand on Saturday, Sept. 5th for the third Marmonte Beach League tournament of the season at Ventura Harbor. Throughout the tournament, players dealt with more than just their opponents, as wind and other conditions forced them to adjust their strategies on the sand. For some players, these conditions made for an advantage; strong winds changed the way players served and defended, requiring partners to communicate and make adjustments throughout the matches. Sophomore Aiden Alex has been on the JV team for two years. He thinks that the boys were able to use this weather to their advantage. 'The wind was a big challenge today so we used it as a weapon and used float serves only,' Alex said. ' I had 15-20 service aces per game so it went well in my favor.' Communication between partners also played an important role. After the first set, pairs adjusted their coverage so one player could focus on the shorter balls while the other defended the corners. Players also worked to quickly recognize mistakes and make changes rather than allowing lost points to affect the rest of the match. Junior Issac Johanson finished the day with a 2-1 record and felt the tournament showed some of his strongest volleyball skills. 'I stayed aggressive, made smart plays, and didn't let mistakes mess with me mentally,' Johanson said. 'My partner and I communicated well and were able to reset quickly when things got tough.' The tournament also gave players experience adapting to the unique challenges of beach volleyball, including the wind, sun and sand. Players said staying patient and consistent helped them avoid forcing plays and allowed them to make smarter decisions. Sophomore Hudson Adams is the only sophomore on the varsity team and he played each game with determination to win the next. 'I learned that I play better when I stay calm and consistent instead of trying to do too much,' Adams said. 'I want to bring that mindset into my next game.' With another Marmonte Beach League tournament scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, the Eagles will look to carry these adjustments and lessons into their next competition.