The Wayne State College beach volleyball team travelled to Lincoln and took on Nebraska and Trinidad State on Feb. 27 and 28.

The Wildcats won their first game against the Trojans 5-0 before taking a loss to the Huskers 4-1.

The Wildcats had strong performances for each match with sweeps across the board against the Trojans.  

“My main focus is communication and chemistry with my partner,” Ella Myler said. “In beach doubles, it’s just the two of us, so we have to stay connected, talk through every play and adjust quickly to different teams and weather conditions.” 

Communication is a big part of any sport. With beach volleyball being doubles, communication is a huge factor in this sport. 

“Beach is more physically demanding because of the sand, so recovery is huge,” Myler said. “I hydrate a lot, fuel properly, and stretch after every match. I also am always moving outside of games and practice as I try to get at least 15,000 steps a day.” 

With the sport being heavily demanding, it’s important the players stay ahead of the game and keep themselves in shape. With the season just starting for the Wildcats this will be an important factor in their games.  

“Being new to beach volleyball, there’s a lot to learn but it is really important for me to stay focused and engaged each time we get the chance to be in the sand,” Mia Berg said.  

The Wildcats started the weekend with a win but ended it with a loss to the Huskers. 

With these matches being season openers, they provided a good chance to see what the team is able to accomplish for the season.  

“Each opponent in sand is very different, so I try to look for ways to compete against the particular pair we are playing against,” Berg said. “My goal is just to improve each game and to build a good connection with my partner.” 

The Wildcats next double header weekend will be on March 13 and 14 at Arizona Christian and Mesa Community College.