Set it up and spike it down
Spectators at Cobram’s Thompsons Beach were treated to desperate dives and spectacular hits last weekend as the second leg of the 2022 Australian Beach Volleyball Tour rolled into town.
It was three days of captivating action along the mighty Murray River as the nation’s best beach volleyball competitors duked it out for glory.
Chris McHugh, a Tokyo Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and partner Paul Burnett claimed gold in straight sets in the men’s event.
The top-ranked team defeated Izac Carracher and Mark Nicolaidis 2-0 (21-14, 21-9).
McHugh added to his extensive list of ABVT titles, however the victory was Burnett’s first time on the top step of the podium.
McHugh said he enjoyed returning to the Cobram Barooga Classic each year.
“It’s always a great event in Cobram, it’s my favourite event to come to,” McHugh said.
“I’m just super happy for Paul, it’s his first National Tour event win and I’m sure the first of many.
“Mark and Izac really brought their A-game today,
they’ve had a phenomenal weekend, and I have no doubt we’ll see them in a lot more Sunday finals at the events to come.”
In the women’s event,
Phoebe Bell and Stefanie Fejes walked away with gold in their hands.
The duo sailed through its preliminary matches without dropping a set but squared off against fellow undefeated pair Alisha Stevens and Caitlin Bettenay in the decider.
Stevens and Bettenay claimed an early lead to win the first set 21-14, however, Bell and Fejes fought back in the second set (21-19) to force a third set.
Bell and Fejes dug deep to win the third set by five points.
The next leg of the 2022 Australian Beach Volleyball Tour will be held at Mollymook (NSW) from February 18-20.