BEACH DUO LOOK TO MAKE HISTORY

By Jay Leon Guerrero

Kendra Byrd and Lori Okada will be representing Guam in Beach Volleyball at the 10th Micronesian Games in Majuro, Marshall Islands. With the indoor volleyball not sending a Men’s or Women’s Team, the Guam Volleyball Federation was pleased to announce they will have a women’s team for the Beach Volleyball event.

The team arrived in Majuro on Thursday and is acclimating to the environment. “We just saw our venue today, and it’s looking pretty good. We are hoping we have a chance to warm up on the court sometime today,” said Byrd.

Beach Volleyball was not played in the 7th and 8th Micronesian Games but was added back to the list at the 9th edition of the Games in 2018 (Yap). Back in 2018, the women’s team just missed the medals podium, coming in fourth place.

Okada and Byrd look to get the women’s team back on the podium. Their game plan: play hard, play smart, and enjoy the process.

Byrd is no stranger to regional competition with experience at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu (2017) and Saipan (2022). Byrd will have a new partner in Lori Okada after competing with Sablan in 2017 and Kristen Serrano in 2022.

Okada is an all-around athlete, playing volleyball and basketball as a standout for the Okkodo Bulldogs. After high school, Okada earned her spot on the National Team and played middle blocker and right side hitter.

Okada anchored the Women’s National team to a gold medal at the last Micronesian Games in Yap. Okada is seeking her second Micronesian Games Gold in Majuro.

The competition starts on June 15th with medal rounds to be held on June 18th. The event will be played at the newly constructed Jenrok Sports Complex.

“We will be seeing some familiar faces from CNMI and Palau this time around. They are friends who we’ve played with and against in the past. They are great competitors with experience,” said Byrd.  “As for some of the other teams, we’re excited to see what Micronesia has to offer as far as beach volleyball this time around”.

The duo will use their experience and training to advance to the gold medal match: “Our coaches have guided us to find and keep a rhythm. Our goal is to look for shots and to give our opponents a challenge,” said Byrd.

“We have the ability to adjust to different teams and playing styles in order to put us in a position where we can take a lead and earn our wins. I feel confident in playing for each other, doing the best we can, and enjoying the process of playing through each point,” added Byrd.

At the 9th Micronesian Games in Yap, Ryan Eugenio and Shintaro Okada won the bronze medal for the men’s team. The women’s team composed of Tatiana Sablan and Kiara Rojas came in fourth in Yap.

There will be about 2000 total athletes, coaches, and officials to visit the tiny island nation, and accommodations are limited. The pair said they would not be staying in the athletes’ village but were able to find an Air BNB. “The space is tight, but we have more everything we need for the most part,” said Byrd.

Women’s Beach Volleyball History
2018 – 4th place (Yap)
2014 – Beach Volleyball Not played (Pohnpei)
2010 – Beach Volleyball Not played