Bay of Plenty teenagers Piki Hemi and Isla Webster struck gold on the sand last month, winning the IPC Under-19 Beach Volleyball Championship.

The Trident High School teammates represented the Bay of Plenty and proved a formidable pairing, overcoming limited preparation time and tough weather conditions to claim the national title.

Webster said there were some nerves heading into the tournament, with the pair having only recently begun playing together.

“We hadn’t had lots of training, but from the start we worked really well together and backed each other all the way through,” she said.

Hemi and Webster played eight matches across the tournament, finishing with a hard-fought final win over Sadie Harwood and Lucia Wood from Tasman.

The result was particularly satisfying for Webster, who had lost to a Tasman pairing in the same event last year.

“It felt really good to win this time,” she said. “And it was extra special to do it with one of my close friends.”

The pair’s success also came after both finished fourth in their respective age groups at last year’s championships, making this year’s gold medal a significant step forward.

“Obtaining a New Zealand title is always a big goal,” Webster said. “This is only my second gold and my first in beach volleyball, so it’s definitely one of my top achievements.”

Webster said representing the Bay of Plenty and competing against traditionally strong regions added to the occasion.

“It always feels good representing the Bay and getting the win, especially against the Auckland teams,” she said.

The victory caps off a standout tournament for the local duo and highlights the growing strength of beach volleyball talent coming out of the Bay of Plenty.

There were also several other Eastern Bay competitors who took part in the event.