Xiamen, China, April 21, 2017 – Joy Stubbe and Jolien Sinnema took on fellow Dutch team Marleen Ramond-Van Iersel and Manon Nummerdor-Flier in a battle of wits at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Xiamen Open 2017.
In the first match for both teams in the Xiamen main draw, it was Stubbe, J./Sinnema who snatched the win 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 15-12).
“It was a classic country against country because we won the first set with big numbers and then they did the second set, and then the third set anybody could win, but we’re really happy with this result and we don’t really care how we won. And now we can continue in the tournament playing other countries as it’s not fun to play your own team,” said Sinnema.
“It’s always a bit strange of course because they are our teammates. It was an exciting game and we didn’t win easy,” said Stubbe.
“We played some practice matches of course, but it’s different. I think it’s a mental game more than really who is best on the court,” said Stubbe.
van-Iersel has been an established name on the FIVB World Tour for over ten years, while Flier plays in only her second ever beach volleyball tournament after making the transition from indoor.
“We play together everyday, we are in the same group. Flier is new but she has so much experience indoor, I think especially mentally, mentally she is very strong and maybe her actions her like she begun beach, but I think this is very mental sport,” said Sinnema.
https://twitter.com/FIVBBeach/status/855244552315297792
Reaching the round of 16 is already Stubbe, J./Sinnema’s best FIVB World Tour result together, but they do not plan to stop there.
“We said that we would like to reach out for fifth place here,” said Stubbe.
“We had a good result in Fort Lauderdale and now we want to step up our game and I think fifth or quarterfinals would be challenging to work to,” said Sinnema.
Quick links - Beach volleyball:
Xiamen - WebsiteXiamen - Schedule and resultsXiamen - Teams - MenXiamen - Teams - Women
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 2017Rio 2016 Olympic Games - Beach VolleyballFIVB.com - Beach VolleyballLatest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia Guide