Outside of San Luis Obispo High School athletics, many students participate in club sports and beach volleyball just happens to be one of them. For the past three years, senior Sydney Meertens has been actively involved in the Pismo Beach volleyball program. Expressions was able to interview Meertens on her love for the game.

Expressions: How many years have you been playing in total?

Senior Sydney Meertens: I’ve been playing for eight years.

Expressions: What position do you play?

Meertens: For beach volleyball, there aren’t designated positions. It’s really just you and your partner, but I guess I am more defensive, I do more passing and digging rather than blocking.

Expressions: Who do you play against?

Meertens: We play against really intense girls from southern California.

Expressions: What do you enjoy most about the sport?

Meertens: Compared to indoor volleyball, you have to be good at everything and it’s on the beach so it’s really easy to dive and stuff. It’s just more fun, especially because it’s at the beach so it’s super chill.

Expressions: Do you play indoor volleyball too?

Meertens: Yes, I played on the school team for all three years of high school so far, but don’t plan on playing next year just because it’s hard to keep up with and it’s way different from beach volleyball. I’m just not as into it as I used to be.

Expressions: Did you meet a lot of people through the sport?

Meertens: I have met really close friends through it

I did an AVP [Association of Volleyball Professionals] first, then participated in youth tournaments and through those I met people from Texas, Louisiana, and people from all over the country. I also met my close friend from Paso and a lot of girls from Arroyo Grande.

Expressions: Do you recommend beach volleyball as a sport for others?

Meertens: Of course, because it’s a fun and relaxing thing to do with friends and you don’t have to be competitive about it if you don’t want to.