NZ dominate India in beach volleyball day one
New Zealand has won both matches of the opening day of beach volleyball against India at Mairangai Bay on Auckland's North Shore
The two-leg series against India at North Harbour and Mt Maunganui is part of the celebrations marking 100 years of Unity Through Sport between New Zealand and India.
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The women's team consisting of professional tour player Olivia MacDonald and NZ A representative Lani Rawle won their game over Pavithra Sudalaikasi and Deepika Kandasamy in straight games 21-9, 21-14 using their height to advantage and showing more aggression in their play.
MacDonald and Rawle combined well in the sunny conditions, never letting their opponents gain the edge.
However, the men's contest was far from easy as Juraj Krajci and Under 18 rep Kyson Norton were forced to 23-21 in the first set against the more experienced and taller Barath Somu and Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy.
The second set was again close, but the home duo always had a couple of points on their opponents and were able to hold on as the Indian pair became more animated into the match.
Eventually Krajci and Norton took the second game 21-18. Krajci was pleased to get the first match under his belt.
"It was good. In the warm-up I pinched my back a bit, made it hard to play the game, but Kyson really stepped up. It's always good to start with a win. It's good for the confidence for tomorrow," Krajci.
Day two continues tomorrow (Friday 13 November) at Mairangi Bay with Saturday and Sunday held at Mt Maunganui.
Beach Volleyball results Mairangi Bay:
Women:
New Zealand - Olivia MacDonald/Lani Rawle bt India - Pavithra Sudalaikasi/Deepika Kandasamy 21-9, 21-14
Men:
New Zealand - Juraj Krajci/Kyson Norton bt India - Barath Somu/Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy 23-21, 21-18
