U18 TEAMS BEGIN OCEANIA BEACH VICTORIOUS

PRESS RELEASE – Guam’s youth beach volleyball teams made a strong statement on opening day at the Oceania U18 Beach Volleyball Championships, sweeping all three matches in straight sets on Saturday at the SIFF Academy.

The tandem of Niesha Chen and Alessandra Leon Guerrero earned two decisive victories, while the team of Antonio Egurrola and Gio Yanesa also picked up a dominant win to cap off a flawless performance by Team Guam.

In the opening match, Chen and Leon Guerrero defeated American Samoa, 21-14, 21-19. Egurrola and Yanesa followed with a commanding 21-13, 21-13 win over Tonga. Chen and Leon Guerrero returned to the court later in the day to take on Solomon Islands 2, sealing the sweep with a 21-8, 21-10 victory.

“This is an international tournament with the best youth players in the region. The talent is obviously there,” said Guam Head Coach Manny Guarin. “The biggest challenge is adapting to the environment, logistics, and the different style of play. Our boys and girls have adjusted well and continue to remain laser-focused.”

Yanesa, who made his international debut alongside Egurrola, spoke about the pride of playing for Guam. “Wearing ‘Guam’ on our uniforms means everything,” Yanesa said. “We’ve put in the work, and now we’re showing what we’re capable of on the international stage.”

Chen reflected on the emotional weight of the experience. “Initially it felt unreal representing our island, but as soon as we got here, the magnitude of this event really hit me,” she said. “We are not only playing for ourselves and our schools, but for our island. It’s very humbling.”

Leon Guerrero credited her preparation back home for her success. “I feel well-prepared and continue to trust in my training,” she said. “The high school beach season really helped me build the confidence to play at the level required to succeed here.”

Egurrola added that Guam’s win came down to discipline and staying connected on the court.
“We stayed locked in from the first serve,” Egurrola said. “No matter who was on the other side of the net, we trusted our chemistry and played for each other—and for Guam.”

The Oceania U18 Beach Volleyball Championships continue this week in Honiara, with Guam aiming to continue its strong run.

Press release written by Al Garrido based on information provided by Coach Manny Guarin.