In its first season as an official sport, the Chaminade University beach volleyball team participated in its first official tournament at Queen’s Beach, the Heineken Queens Cup, on March 7-9.
The team was split into five pairs across the five beach courts but went winless against Division I beach volleyball teams from Pepperdine University, Saint Mary’s College, Nebraska University, and Boise State University.
Despite the turnout, the team learned a lot from its first tournament.
“We are learning new things every day, as this is our inaugural season, but it’s so exciting,” said Kendall Rios, a fourth-year student majoring in criminology. “Our goal has yet to deter from continuing to grow as individuals, and as a team. Keeping a growth mindset and adapting as we maneuver a new type of volleyball. I’m looking forward to seeing how we improve and move forward as a team. Being on Chaminade’s first-ever beach volleyball team has been such a blessing.”
After years of being an unofficial sport at Chaminade, beach volleyball was
officially added to its athletic programs this Spring 2024. The team first competed against Hawaii Pacific University on Feb. 10 and won the five pairs matchups 4-1.
Though the first tournament against Division I opponents was a tough weekend for the Lady Silverswords, the team impressed President Lynn Babington, who made a brief appearance at the beach on Friday during the tournament.
“We are so proud to launch beach volleyball this year,” wrote Chaminade’s President Lynn Babington in an email after the tournament. “It is such a great experience to go down to Waikiki Queen’s beach and watch our Lady Silverswords give their all on the beach courts. Watching competition on 5 courts at once and seeing our fans under the Chaminade tent is a spectacular sight! Chaminade University has an amazing coach, Kahala Kabalis, who nurtures our student-athletes and coaches them not only to win but to become leaders. Athletics is an important part of the Chaminade experience, not just for our student-athletes but for all students, as we all get to cheer for the team!”