Friday, Sep. 19, 2008

Roanoke Teen Serves Up Championship Beach Volleyball

By A. Lee Graham

Staff Writer

Less is more for Molly Smestad when stepping onto the volleyball court.

Unlike indoor spaces that cover 900 square feet, beach volleyball challenges players with only 692 square feet and trickier floor construction.

"Sand really makes it different," said Molly, 16, a Roanoke athlete excelling in a sport gaining popularity but still widely unknown.

Beach volleyball pairs two girls on each side of the net. They serve and volley on sand, making agility difficult and the ball elusive.

"You get the ball more often, and I love being outside," said Molly, who along with partner Sonja Sherry of Southlake took 5th place in the 18s division.

So do other 692 Beach Volleyball Club members, who swept the nationals competition in California. Basking under the West Coast sun were Molly and 19 other girls in the Coppell-based club, deriving its name from the square footage of a beach volleyball court.

"The girls did great," said Scott Stover, the team’s founder and coach, who accompanied 20 of the club’s 58 teammates to the July 19 competition at Manhattan Beach.

"It was really fun," said Colleyville’s Taylor Nyquist, 16, who relies on partner Grapevine’s Kelsey Odom when competition gets fierce. The pair took 9th place in the 16s division.

"We just kind of fit together," said Taylor. "She passes well and I have an idea of what she’ll do. We know each other so well."

That camaraderie came in handy when balls sailed over the net. But reaching the projectiles was another matter.

"With the sand so thick and deeper out there, it’s more difficult," said Taylor, a junior at Grapevine High School.

"It involves a lot of teamwork. You have to have that to be competitive."

Molly agrees.

"You get more time with the ball [than with traditional indoor volleyball]," said Molly, crediting a challenging playing surface for helping her game.

"My passing has gotten better, that’s for sure," said Molly.

Kicking up California sand was the furthest thing from Julie Smestad’s mind when Molly took up the sport five years ago.

"I was a little hesitant to let her start when she did," said Smestad, impressed by strides her daughter has made.

"She’s tried almost every sport there is to try. Volleyball ended up being the one she likes the best." Molly hopes to win a volleyball scholarship, but views college as the springboard to her true calling.

"My dream is to be a writer," said Molly. "That’s what I’d like to do." As for Taylor, Olympic victory takes priority.

"My dream is to go to the Olympics for beach volleyball. "

Until then, the girls will continue semiweekly practice and weekend tournaments, endurance tests that raise their game and strengthen bonds.

"The teamwork is what makes it really fun," said Taylor.