Dynamic duo strike Games gold on beach

Australian pair sweep Kiwi rivals aside to claim gold in beach volleyball at Commonwealth Youth Games

Australians Rebecca Ingram and Carrie Van Rensburg with their gold medals after winning the girl's beach volleyball at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas. Picture: Mark Kolbe

VOLLEYBALL: Dynamic Australian duo Rebecca Ingram and Carrie Van Rensburg swept New Zealand in Sunday's beach volleyball final to win gold without dropping a set in the tropical heat of the Bahamas.

The statuesque Ingram's dominance at the net with six kill blocks and Van Rensburg's dinks and delivery to her taller partner were a perfect cocktail in a decisive 21-13, 21-13 victory at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

"We're just over the moon. We've been kind of dreaming of this for a year ever since it was announced beach volleyball would be at the Commonwealth Youth Games for the first time,” Ingram said.

The temperature had already hit 31° by the time the gold medal match began at 11am local time at the harbourside stadium purpose-built for the world beach football championships earlier this year in the capital Nassau.

Ingram, 18, from Maffra in country Victoria, was paired up three years ago with Van Rensburg, 17, who will return to Year 12 studies at Haileybury in Keysborough with her golden booty.

"It's awesome to get a win for Australia especially in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games on the Coast Coast and to inspire other young athletes in our sport,” Van Rensburg said.

Rebecca Ingram and Carrie Van Rensburg of Australia celebrate during the gold medal beach volleyball match against Ella Akkerman and Jasmine Pepi-Milton of New Zealand. Picture: Scott Barbour

"I played our Under-23 championships on the Coolangatta beachfront and that setting is going to be amazing at Commonwealth Games time.

"When we first met three years ago, Bec was still living in the country but she'd come down to Melbourne and stay at my place during training times together.

"We're partners on the sand and best friends.

"You build a trust as partners in beach volleyball and we balance each other out.”

Ingram is the messy, outgoing, naturally noisy type. Van Rensburg is more orderly and quiet but both agreed that the old Phil Collins' hit, "Another Day In Paradise” was the theme song they needed to play on repeat while in the Caribbean.

Jumping to a 10-4 lead set the tone in the opening set with both girls serving the best they had all tournament and offering few cheap points to Kiwi girls Ella Akkerman and Jasmine Peppi-Milton.

Ingram penned her cues on the inside of her left wrist "Positive, Loud, Aggressive, Passion” with "FUN” highlighted most of all in the largest lettering.

"There is already a synergy between the girls and they were up for it in their first international tournament, an excellent result,” coach Mandy Combes said.

"It's really critical for beach volleyball to show we are a podium-level sport and this is a great showcase of our junior talent heading towards the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.”

Canberra's James Takken and Queenslander Mark Nicolaidis claimed the bronze in the boys' event with a 21-12, 21-16 win over Ghana.

On the track, Queenslanders Riley Day (24.13 sec) and Ella Connolly (24.60) won their respective semi-finals to advance to Monday's 200m final.