Sand Sharks volleyball club players win gold medals
Dewey Beach Sand Sharks players won gold in both the 16U and 14U divisions at the annual Beach Bum Bash Kickoff sand volleyball tournament in Ocean City, Md.
The 16U team, including Layni Dukes, a junior from Delmarva Christian and Avery Merritt, a freshman from Sussex Tech, faced fierce competition. Their teamwork and sheer determination secured them the gold amidst cheers and high-fives.
Simultaneously, the 14U team, featuring Paige Nicholson, an eighth-grader at Georgetown Middle, and Harper Mamele, a freshman at Cape Henlopen, demonstrated exceptional skill and dominated the competition. Fresh off a gold win at a Rehoboth Beach Chesapeake Wave National Qualifier tournament, securing them a 2024 USA Volleyball Beach National Championship bid in Florida, the duo's remarkable synergy clinched another gold. They have committed to compete in another Ocean City tournament and a Virginia Beach event in both 14U and 16U divisions in June.
“When I started this club five years ago, I just wanted to give kids a place to play beach volleyball,” said Sand Sharks coach Jon Skolnik. “I never dreamed that some would go on to win a national championship, play for top universities or compete internationally for USA Volleyball. The dedication and hard work these athletes put in every single day is truly inspiring. Watching them succeed and achieve their goals is the greatest reward. They've shown that with determination and teamwork, anything is possible. I'm incredibly proud of each and every one of them."
For more information about Sand Sharks, go to sandsharks.net.
