DTS, Liqui Fruit crown season finale champions
Beach volleyball
Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS) and Liqui Fruit successfully wrapped up their beach volleyball season last weekend, crowning mixed two-a-side and four-a-side champions at the DTS Beach Volleyball Arena.The DTS - Liqui Fruit season began in June with the Winter Classic at the same venue and also featured the Spring Open in October. Both competitions included separate men’s and women’s categories in the senior division, with boys’ and girls’ categories in the U19 division.
The season finale saw the men’s and women’s categories merged for a mixed-gender competition, attracting 31 teams across the two-a-side seniors (9) and U19s (16), as well as the four-a-side social section (6). Players competed for a N$10 000 prize pool sponsored by Liqui Fruit.
Senior division champions
Competing in the senior division, Carmen Curshmann and Fabian Pfeiffer proved the team to beat as they navigated the draw without conceding a set and continued their dominant run unbeaten to secure the overall title.
The duo of Maike van Doorn and Jan Erik Sack secured second place, ahead of Teja Lück and Lushiano Lamprecht.
Organisers also extended a special mention to veteran player Achim Lück and partner Rosi Hennes, who secured fourth place.
“Their spirited play and tactical brilliance proved that experience still counts in high-level beach volleyball. They earned admiration from both spectators and fellow players,” remarked the organisers.
U19, social division champions
The U19 division also featured tense competition in four groups of four teams battling it out in round-robin matches to determine the top eight to advance to the quarter finals.
Here, the pair of Piroschka Lück and Leo Kesselmann reigned supreme, only conceding one set in the entire tournament to secure the overall title.
Organisers described their performance as strong, consistent and tactically sharp. “This pair has maintained its two-year unbeaten run in mixed competition, ultimately claiming another well-deserved championship,” according to the organisers.
Securing second place in the U19 division were Philline Berger and Jura Krafft, who dominated ahead of third-placed Nadia Böhm and Tilo Gallert. Stella Hamm and Rene Steinkopff rounded out the podium in fourth place.
The tournament also featured a four-a-side social division, bringing vibrant community energy and entertainment to the arena, with teams enjoying the festive beach atmosphere.
Here, Team Afromix took top honours, followed by Smack Attack in second place and Lefa Legends in third place. Serve ‘n Turf rounded out the podium in fourth place.
‘Boosting morale’
Tournament organiser Heiko Kesselmann said the mixed format allowed weaker players to team up with stronger players for balance.
“This gives them a good chance to win some games with a stronger partner, [boosting their morale,] which makes the whole format interesting. It also provides a learning platform for the up-and-coming players, getting to play on the same side as a different gender,” he said.
Kesselmann assured that despite the event concluding the DTS - Liqui Fruit season, the beach volleyball season is far from over.
“All eyes now turn to the coast for the Swakopmund Beach Open scheduled from 21 to 22 December,” he noted.
“The event will be sponsored by Liqui Fruit and Fabupharm, with the organisation of the Swakopmund Beach Volleyball Academy, Namibia Beach Volleyball Hub and DTS.
“Held under the auspices of Namibia Volleyball Federation, it promises to be a highlight on the beach volleyball season calendar,” he said in a statement.
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