2018-04-06 06:05:00 CEST
World Tour prep key for Scots
Melissa (left) and Lynne were far too good for Grenada in their Commonwealth Games opener
Scottish hopes of beach volleyball gold on the Gold Coast in the Commonwealth Games began with victories as both their men’s and women’s teams got off to winning starts on the Gold Coast.
And both teams were thankful for experience learned on the World Tour and the Beach Volleyball Major Series for overcoming opposition they had never even seen play before.
The men’s duo, Robin Miedzybrodski and Seain Cook, overcame a spirited performance from Sri Lanka’s Yapa/Prideep to win in three sets, 12-15, 18-21, 16-14. Miedzybrodski returned to the World Tour this season to partner indoor player Cook and the duo have recently played in Qatar and Holland as prep for this tournament.
“The plan’s to play on the Major Series one day,” smiled the 26-year-old. “Our preparation was all about this tournament though so we’ll see what the plan is after.
“We knew nothing about them so we’re pleased to have got the first win. But it wasn’t easy.”
It was more plain sailing for the Scottish women, as Lynne Beattie and Melissa Coutts – who both played at the Fort Lauderdale Major in February – cruised past Grenada’s Williams/Stafford 21-8, 21-11 in the opening session’s shortest match that lasted just under half-an-hour.
“The most important thing was keeping focused,” Beattie told us afterwards. “We just kept our professionalism and relied on what we have learned from all the matches we have played in preparation.”
In the opening match of the tournament, a capacity crowd were treated to a three-set thriller as New Zealand brothers Ben and Sam O’Dea edged out Cypriot duo Apostolou/Chrysostomou 16-21, 21-19, 15-11.