WOMEN AND MEN IN BLACK BACKING THEIR FORM IN COBRAM

WOMEN AND MEN IN BLACK BACKING THEIR FORM IN COBRAM

Information and photo courtesy of volleyball.org.au

The honour of being Tour Leaders is a heavy weight to carry however it was anything but a burden for those handed the black singlets on day one of the Cobram-Barooga Classic.

South Australian pair Gosia Rzepka and Camila Franchi played beyond their fifth seeding in Glenelg to not only qualify for the final four, but then went on to win their first ever Australian Beach Volleyball Tour title.

They were eliminated in the round of 16 in Canberra earlier this month but are back in Cobram, once again as the fifth seeds and have their eyes set on another appearance on Super Sunday after going through day one undefeated.

“It’s always heavy [wearing the Tour Leader colours] , but we manage!” said Franchi. “It’s exciting though; the fact that you’re in the black shirts means you have to play well… I think I look good in black, right?!”

The 32-year-old Brazilian loves the venue at Thompsons Beach, and after going three-from-three on day one is hoping she and Rzepka can continue their form on Saturday.

“It was awesome [today], I really like playing here to be honest,” said Brazilian-born Franchi. “The river, the environment, all the courts are close so you can watch your friends as well so it’s really nice.

“Every day’s a new day, but let’s hope tomorrow is just as good as it was today.”

Victorian combo Justin Schumann and Garang Anyang have had plenty of success on the national tour, and are looking to make their 10th Super Sunday as a combination.

They have already reached the final four at the opening two tournaments this season, making it all the way to the final in Glenelg, sit atop the Tour standings and wear the black singlets in Cobram.

While talented players surround them in the draw, none of the top four seeds have as much experience playing together as the Victorians and they know how that time on court together can play into their hands in the elimination phase over the weekend.

“It’s a team sport and I think you even see it on the World Tour, new teams get together and sometimes have a honeymoon period but they don’t really figure out their systems for a few months,” said Schumann. “But Garang and I know each other so well, which of each other’s buttons we need to push to get each other fired up, we both know how each other likes our sets so it’s a big thing.”

With the pair having stood on the Tour podium six times, wearing the black singlets shouldn’t come as a shock but Anyang says it remains a privilege.

“It really is a huge honour to wear it,” said Anyang. “Winning is always the goal and having the opportunity to play against the great teams that are the usual Sunday Semi-Final teams, that is always the target.”

Day two of the Cobram-Barooga Classic starts at 7:30am on Saturday at Thompsons Beach, Cobram.

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