‘Communication key to perfect pairing’

Chinese professional beach volleyball players Rongrong Shen and Meng Tong Wang believe that pairs must develop a special bond of friendship in order to become a successful partnership that would result to victories on the sand court.

Chinese pros Rongrong Shen, left, and Meng Tong Wang pose with the Japanese and American professional players during last weekends Marianas Cup at the Fiesta Resort’s beach side. (Jon Perez)

Shen and Wang, who both played in the 23rd Annual Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival that was held over the weekend in Guam, have been partners for more than four months and regularly played in tournaments in China and Korea.

“It is much better if you become good friends with your partner. Communicating inside the court would result to victories since you have a better understanding of your moves and plays,” said Shen through an interpreter.

Their partnership and chemistry was put to the test in an exhibition match in Guam where they played against Japanese pros Erika Habaguchi and Summer Miyagawa, who are both third timers in the Marianas Cup. The Chinese lost to the Japanese in Guam.

Shen and Wang, however, evened the count when they played last Saturday at the Fiesta Resort’s beach side. The Chinese pair completed a 19-21, 21-9, 15-12 win over Habaguchi and Miyagawa.

“This is our first time to play in the Marianas Cup in Guam. And it is a pleasure to also get the chance to play here on Saipan. We enjoy the weather since it is still cold in our place in China,” said Wang, who hails at the Northeastern province of Liaoning together with Shen.

Both Shen and Wang, who are both sports majors in their final year in college, added that they usually play indoor volleyball during six months of cold weather. They were invited by the Chinese government to represent their country in the Marianas Cup.

Japanese men’s pair Kato Sato and Takashi Tsuchiya defeated Americans Jeff Carlucci and Tyler Willsley, 21-17, 21-17, in the other exhibition match. Sato and Tsuchiya trailed for most of the match but came back in both sets to seal the two-set win.

Their net defense, crisp spikes, and carefully placed drop shots, coupled by errors made by Carlucci and Willsey helped them rally back from the game.

The exhibition matches were part of the activities of the Marianas Cup Festival where they also held youth clinics, and visited students at Marianas High School and Saipan International School.