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Nanaimo beach volleyball team part of Team BC for Canada Games

Jul 25, 2017 | 12:40 PM

NANAIMO — Seven athletes from the harbour city will be traveling to Winnipeg for the Canada Summer Games this weekend.
 
Two of the competitors, 19-year-old Jeff Webb and 17-year-old Isaac Bevis, are strong medal contenders in beach volleyball.
 
The duo has recently returned from a California trip where they played against teams from the US and also the Brazil U21 squad.
 
Webb recalls first playing with Isaac back when he was 14.
 
Back then they finished third in provincials and fourth at nationals.
 
Since that time they’ve continued playing with different partners, but now they’re back together with Isaac’s dad serving as their coach.
 
Bevis says his father Rick has coached him from a young age.
 
“I try to look at him as a coach first out there and follow the constructive criticism. But it’s nice that he’s someone that I can connect with off the court. It’s not like some coaches where you can be afraid to talk to them,” said Bevis.
 
It’s come full circle for the pair with Webb saying it was Rick Bevis that first got them together as playing partners five years ago.

 

 

BC has the top ranking heading into the competition and Bevis and Webb will play PEI, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and Quebec in Group A.
 
Their match against Nova Scotia will be broadcast on TSN at 4 p.m. on Sunday and Webb is looking forward to the increased stakes of playing for such a large audience.
 
“I think it’s every kids dream to be able to go and play your favourite sport in front of everybody who watches,” said Webb. “I’m really excited to see how well we do and excited to play against all the other provinces.” 

The beach volleyball teammates are also going to be on the court together at VIU in the fall.

Webb and Bevis will be suiting up for the Mariners when the PACWEST season opens in October.

There are five other Nanaimo athletes headed to Winnipeg from July 28 – August 13 as part of Team BC’s contingent of 455 delegates.
 
Miryam Bassett and Isaac Sandri have qualified for athletics, Joshua Laukkanen will play baseball, Charlie Andrews made the softball team, and Riley Knight will compete in rowing.
 
Lantzville rower Cameron Antifave is the only other athlete from the region.
 
On the coaching side Nanaimo’s Allen Johnston, Matthew Cella, and Rick Bevis will be making the trip as well.
 
The opening ceremonies for the Games are on Friday with competition beginning the following day.
 
Schedules and results will be posted at www.canadagames.ca.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77
 

*Facebook video from Lenette Zieber