Double English success at SCA zonal event in Scotland

Another sunny day played host to the final matches of the SCA zonal event held in Ayr, Scotland, with teams from England emerging on top of the women’s as well as of the men’s competition.

The day began with Monaco’s Pascal Ferry/Vincent Ferry reaching their third Scottish SCA final in four years, defeating Scots Ross McKelvie/Callum Stewart 21-19, 21-14. In an all-English semi-final, Niko Gleed/Harry Jones beat compatriots Juan Enrique Bello/Peter Soczewka 21-17, 21-11 to earn their place in the final.

The third-place playoffs followed with some exciting play. Finns Anniina Muukka/Anna Rantala earned a third-place finish, beating home pair Katie Barbour/Laura McReady 21-11, 21-15. The men’s bronze medal match did not disappoint either, with home pair McKelvie/Stewart beating the English duo of Bello/Soczewka 23-21, 15-21, 15-10.

Much anticipation awaited the finals although the women unfortunately failed to start due to a medical withdrawal by home favourites Lynne Beattie/Melissa Coutts, which allowed the English pair Katie Keefe/Isabelle Tucker to claim their first international title. The crowd quickly forgot the initial disappointment, as Gleed/Jones and Ferry/Ferry battled ferociously for the men’s crown. England’s Gleed/Jones eventually ended the match on top 2-1 (18-21, 21-13, 15-12).

An award ceremony followed with podium finishers awarded their trophies, volunteers and officials thanked for their hard work. The event made for an exciting debut of Beach Volleyball at Kyle Academy and Scottish Volleyball look forward to future events at this exceptional facility.