Beach volleyball: Top seeds supreme in sand

Emily Johnston (right) and Georgia Morton in action at the weekend's Mauao Grand Slam beach volleyball tournament. Photo / Andrew Warner

THE Mauao Beach Volleyball Grand Slam went according to plan at Mount Main Beach yesterday.

New Zealand's top men's and women's pairings had no trouble living up to their rankings, each recording routine straight set wins in front of a strong crowd on a muggy afternoon.

Sam O'Dea and Mike Watson, who remain unbeaten after a full season and a half on the national grand slam tour, proved too strong for surprise local finalists Brad Fullerton and Daryl Lewis (21-17, 21-14) while New Zealand's top women's pairing of Julia Tilley and Shauna Polley had too much for Danielle Quigley and Melissa Ruru (21-12, 21-19).

O'Dea was tired but nonetheless pleased to extend the partnership's unbeaten run.

"It was both days and that definitely took it's toll," he said.

"We've played in hotter places so we should have been pretty used to it.

"I think it as the first tournament that I sat in the sun and watched the games going on around.

"Lessons for next time for sure," he said.

Keeping their perfect record through summer would not prove easy with strong Australian combinations on their way to New Zealand in the New Year.

"We get pushed hard a lot, it's not like it's been an easy ride."

The local combination is looking to peak after Christmas, with their sights set firmly on a pair of big tournaments in Australia as well as a yet-to-be confirmed conclusion to the grand slam series at Auckland's Stanley St.