Athletes Join New Beach Volleyball Elite Team

Not only were the members of USA Volleyball’s debut beach elite development team revealed Wednesday, but also their hopes to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Many local names were included in the team rosters, such as Hermosa Beach’s Joey Dykstra and Andrew Fuller.

"The players have all been a part of our program in the past," said Brady Compton, USAVolleyball technical coordinator for beach national teams, in a statement. "We also had an application process based on event results in 2010 and 2011. And every single one of the players said the Olympics were one of their goals."

Players on the development teams train for upcoming international competitions and must play in 15 tournaments per year, according to the statement.

The statement also pointed out that the athletes sign an affirmation of intent to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games and participate in USA Volleyball beach development programs, such as camps and clinics.

Here are this year’s team members, according to USA Volleyball:

Men’s development team

• Ryan Doherty, (Toms River, N.J.)
• Avery Drost (Santa Monica, Calif.)
• Joey Dykstra (Hermosa Beach, Calif.)
• Andrew Fuller (Hermosa Beach, Calif.)
• Andy McGuire (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
• Jesse Rambis, (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
• (Andover, Minn.)
• Bill Strickland (Malibu, Calif.)
• Stevo VanderWerp (Grand Haven, Mich.)

Women’s development team

• Morgan Beck (Coto de Caza, Calif.)
• Emily Day (Torrance, Calif.)
• Christal Engle (Puyallup, Wash.)
• Jess Gysin (Los Gatos, Calif.)
• Heather Hughes (Fallbrook, Calif.)
• Tealle Hunkus (Girard, Ohio)
• Michelle Moriarty (Houston, Texas)
• Kaitlin Sather (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
• Chelsea Rashoff (Danville, Calif.)
• Brooke Sweat (Fort Myers, Fla.)
• Traci Weamer (Upland, Calif.)