BEACH PLAYERS EXCITED FOR PALAU’S SANDS

A preview of Team Guam heading to Palau for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games June 29 – July 9 amongst 24 island nations

By Patrick Lujan

Guam’s beach volleyball squads have high expectations heading into Palau’s sands at the upcoming Pacific Mini Games.

The women’s team will have a target on their back – and rightfully so as we bring D1 college players Kristen Serrano (University of Hawaii) and Austia Mendiola (Cal State Northridge).

The men’s team of Ryan Eugenio and Kana Sgambelluri don’t have the D1 pedigree, but volleyball is in their blood with a good amount of experience.

Women’s Team

Guam will be represented by its best players, and the goal is nothing less than gold.

According to head coach Manny Guarin, the competition will be stiff, with powerhouses like Australia, Vanuatu, and Tahiti vying for the top spot.

“This will be Kristen’s and Austia’s first international competition as a team, but I am confident in their ability to work hard, adapt, and persevere,” coach Guarin said.

For University of Hawaii player Serrano, she is ecstatic to get another opportunity to represent Guam after the 2021 Mini Games, calling that experience lifechanging for the best.

“Austia and I have had a lot more exposure this past year playing in the NCAA, so we’re coming into these games with confidence and a higher level of competition. Of course, it’s always an honor to compete against other talented athletes from across the islands and learn so much more about their cultures. We are working hard to earn a medal and give it our all for our island,” Serrano said.

“These past years playing in NCAA has pushed us to grow so much as athletes and I am very excited to see what me and Kristen can do together,” mirrored Mendiola. “We’re training hard, staying focused, and ready to bring our energy and experience to the court.”

Men’s Team

While the women’s team enters as heavy favorites, the men’s team is stepping in with fierce determination and the mindset to make a serious run. The pair of Eugenio and Sgambelluri aren’t just showing up — they’re aiming to surprise the region and contend at the top.

At 33, Eugenio brings nearly two decades of beach volleyball experience, including a bronze medal from the 2018 Micro Games in Yap. The JFK alum teams up with 19-year-old Sgambelluri, a rising star out of Guam Adventist Academy and last year’s high school beach volleyball champion.

“We’re coming in with fire,” said Eugenio. “We’re going to leave everything on the sand and fight for every point.”

The duo earned their spot through the highly competitive King of the Beach Tournament and have been grinding through an intense three-month training regimen in preparation.

For Sgambelluri, this marks his first international competition — a milestone he’s taking seriously. “I want to represent our island with pride, compete against the best in the region, and come back sharper, stronger, and ready to reach the highest level of play,” he said.

The men expect some tough competition from Fiji, Vanuatu and CNMI.

Men’s coach Galen Balajadia has confidence in our squad heading to Palau.

“Representing our home is one of greatest opportunities an athlete could ever have. Competing against other country’s best athletes is no small task but I believe our men’s team is ready to compete and showcase the heart and pride of our island.”

Beach volleyball starts on Wednesday, July 2nd at Long Island Beach and concludes on Tuesday, July 8th.