In their first game playing as a pair, Haidyn Weiner (11) and Amanda Huisa (10) contributed to beach volleyball’s 4-1 victory against Del Norte in its first league game of the season, March 24. 

Huisa said that their serves played a large role in the win, especially as the pair was on offense, serving at Del Norte for the majority of the game.

“We were placing the ball in good spots and serving aggressively,” Huisa said.

Weiner said their opponents’ hitting formation caused them to adjust their gameplay. 

“She was blocking for the first couple points, but then we realized that the way they were hitting didn’t work with us having a blocker up on them,” Weiner said.

Weiner said the playing strategy from the Nighthawks was random, making it hard to predict what they would do next. 

“I feel like the other team, a lot of times would accidentally hit the tape, so we had to figure out where they were trying to go,” Weiner said. “I don’t think they really understood where they were going to [place the ball]; it was a little random.”

After making adjustments, the pair won their match in two sets, 21-18 and 21-17, keeping a consistent lead the whole time.

“I think it was a fairly easy game, because they weren’t ever leading,” Weiner said. “We were just ready for anything to happen.”

Weiner said that the weather impacted their strategy too.

“It was really windy, so we had to figure out how to use the wind to our advantage in serving and hitting, which was another challenge,” she said.

Weiner said that her coaches help the duo strategize during the match.

“Our coaches really help us during the games by telling us what spots we should hit and what player on the other team to target,” Weiner said.

In addition to coaching, Weiner said that some drills in practice replicate games to help players improve.

“Speed ball really helps to have live game-like play,” Weiner said.

Huisa said that she and Weiner ended up being paired together during gameplay for the first time against Del Norte because beach requires flexibility with playing times and opportunities.

“Many times in beach volleyball, a lot of the pairs get switched around, so you need to be able to adjust and work well with everyone,” Huisa said. “For example, during practice, most of the time you try to stay with one person, but our coaches like mixing things around and seeing how different people work together.”

While they ended up working well together, Weiner said that they had to make adjustments to play to both their strengths.

“We had to figure out how to play with each other, because everyone does defense differently,” Weiner said. “We had to figure out how to defend together. We practiced one time before, and we had [Huisa] blocking, but then we decided during the game not to have her blocking, because [the other team] was hitting above the net, so that was something we had to figure out.”

Weiner said the differences between the pair’s skills led to a good combination of defense and offense, which balanced out the game.

“I think we work well together because [Huisa is] a good hitter, and I’m better at doing defense,” Weiner said. “I think it worked well because we both have stronger areas, and we were able to work together and communicate so we both got chances [taking us a well-rounded team,” Huisa said.