Setting their footprints in the sand

Setting+their+footprints+in+the+sand

Niko Williams spikes the ball over the net to score Poway a point in the third set against Scripps Ranch to win the match 23-21. 

Beach volleyball is a team sport played on a beach court divided by a net between two teams of six players. The goal of the game is to send the ball over the net and onto the opposing team’s side of the court, similar to indoor volleyball. Players also have individual partners of two that play against other schools. 

The undefeatable duo of Williams and senior John Lubisich joined the beach volleyball club for fun and fell in love with it. 

Lubisich joined after his older brother, Jeff Lubisich, encouraged him to try it out. Jeff had been a star on  both indoor and beach volleyball. “I decided to follow in his footsteps and I have never regretted the decision,” Lubisich said. 

Lubisich was drawn to volleyball because of the fast-paced play and the people who make the sport fun. “I have never had a bad experience in volleyball since everyone is so positive, especially compared to any other sport I’ve played,” Lubisich said.  

Williams has always had a love for volleyball and decided to join the club because he had not played beach volleyball in a while. “Volleyball is just a super fun sport and a really intricate team sport…It’s just you and your partner playing out there,” Williams said. 

Coach Charles Jackson played volleyball in college and beach volleyball after college. He loves introducing others to his sport. Practices are at Jackson’s house once a week. Beach volleyball is now a girls CIF sport but still a club for boys. “We want to be ready when CIF adds boys,” Jackson said. 

This year, the team finished third in league and lost to University City in the quarterfinals of playoffs.