By David DiSomma
The New Zealand beach volleyball tour gets underway in Christchurch tomorrow.
Among those on show will be former Silver Fern Anna Scarlett and Susan Blundell, a pair who are making their way up the world rankings.
Fresh from their second year on the World Pro Tour, Sarlett and Blundell come to Christchurch as defending champions.
"There's always a few jitters at the start of the domestic season, but we are pretty confident of our performance, for sure," says Blundell.
Their world ranking has gone from 60 to 33, with their best performance being a ninth at the Hague Open in August.
"It was a great feeling, because we knew we were coming home after it," says Scarlett. "We had a new energy, something we have to tap into more."
Among their opponents over the next two days will be 23-year-old Audra Jeffers. The American is also the partner of Tall Black and Breakers star Kirk Penney.
"It's a transitional thing for me," says Jeffers. "I played indoor for 10 years at the University of Wisconsin, and then I started playing beach volleyball when I moved to New Zealand."
In the men's competition, last year's winners Greg Lindsay-Brown and Brendon Heath are now on opposing teams.
After summer there are further tournaments in Wellington, Mt Maunganui and Auckland between now and the end of the month.
3 News