18U CAPS standout Kate Eckhardt has
taken yet another step in her young and decorated volleyball career.
Eckhardt, along with partner Kacie MacTavish of Sharon,
Ontario, recently earned the right to represent Canada at the Under
19 (U19) World Beach Championships scheduled from September
5th to 10th in Bermuda.
Eckhardt and MacTavish emerged with the
tickets to Bermuda from Volleyball Canada's Youth Development High
Performance Beach Camp held on March 18-19 at Beach Blast in
Toronto. The top 4 teams from the 18U 2005 Beach National
Championships were invited to the camp - Eckhardt on the basis of
her silver medal with MacTavish. After undergoing drills and
technical sessions, the four teams faced off against each other in a
mini tournament, the World's spot announced as the prize to the
winners. Pack the sunglasses and sunscreen...
It's been a quick ascent on the sand for the versatile Eckhardt.
What began as summertime 'hanging' on Mooney's Bay beach with CAPS
alumni Tess Edwards, Jessica Wolfenden and other courting friends, it
was in 2005 that Eckhardt committed to competition under the sun.
With MacTavish, the pair first embarked on the OVA beach circuit,
opening many eyes, and eventually copping their first national
medal.
Eckhardt became friends with MacTavish
during their time on Volleyball Canada's Youth National Team (indoor)
in 2004, further entrenched as conjoined teammates for the gold medal
winning Team Ontario at the 2005 Canada Summer Games.
Eckhardt credits the duo's connection and indoor experience for the
rapid success. "We're such good friends. We have
chemistry. And we've both been playing indoor for so long, that
we took to it quickly."
The duo's coach, Kristine Drakich,
attributes their success to that indoor background. "They are
obviously well skilled volleyball players", commented the former
national team player and current coach for the University of Toronto
Varsity Blues women's team. "Kate and Kacie have a good sense
of the game, a tremendous amount of power and technical finesse.
They have a bright future in beach. They still have a lot to
learn. World's will be a great experience for them to see how
beach is played at the international level."
"We're really excited", added
Eckhardt. "World's will be a great opportunity to compete
internationally. It's not about doing well for us, it's the
experience." When asked about where this could lead, the 5
foot 11 inch dynamo quickly piped in with conviction, "I want to go
to the Olympics." Take note Canada.
Aside from the sun and sand, there are
elements to the beach game that attract the Glebe Collegiate student.
"I like how in every play you get to touch the ball; how you're in
on every point. It's closer to an individual sport in that I
have more control over the results."
Eckhardt also sees how the indoor and beach
games can compliment each other. "Beach makes you an all
around player, makes you more versatile, get's you a lot quicker.
Indoor passing helps give you the control needed for beach."
Summer preparations leading up to Bermuda will keep the pair busy.
The partners' indoor aspirations to make the Junior National Team
(indoor) this coming summer will dictate their beach training
schedule. They hope to be part of the Junior Women's program
based out of Regina, selection camp taking place July 6 - 9, training
until July 30 when they would depart for the NORCECA Continental
Championships, taking place in Monterrey, Mexico, July 30 - August
7.
Their plans are to spend every day together
after junior team duties, on the beaches of Toronto under the watchful
eyes of Drakich. The pair will compete in the Beach
Volleyball National Championships on August 25 to 27 at Toronto's
Ashbridges Bay, where they hope to add another medal to their
beachwear collection.
In and amongst all of the August and
September hustle will likely be reporting to her university of
choice. Highly recruited in Canada and the United States,
Eckhardt has yet to make a decision on where volleyball and studies
will take her. Nice to have a few options ... and a great
tan!
Congratulations Kate - we're all very proud of you!
