The Bermuda Volleyball Association (BVA) has confirmed that rising stars Olivia Gazzard and Sophie Weikl will return to international sand this month, spearheading the island’s charge at the 2026 NORCECA U18 Women’s Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers.
The duo returns to the Dominican Republic with renewed confidence following a breakout 2025 campaign. Last year, the pair secured an impressive 10th-place finish against the region's heavyweights, a result that signaled Bermuda’s growing intent on the junior circuit and placed them just outside the bracket for the FIVB World Championships.
Since that historic run, both athletes have undergone rigorous individual development. Weikl has spent the last twelve months at the high-performance RPS Academy in Florida, while Gazzard has been honing her tactical discipline with the Paradise Hitters indoor program.
The pair reunited during the recent spring break, working under the watchful eye of National Beach Team Head Coach Ben Barnett to re-establish a partnership built over two years of shared court time.
"We’re excited to see Gazzard and Weikl compete together again," said Coach Lisa LeBlanc, who will accompany the team to the Caribbean. "They’ve grown both their physical and mental game since last year, and I expect them to show that progress against strong competition."
The task ahead remains formidable. Standing between the Bermudians and a spot on the world stage are powerhouse programs from the USA, Canada, and Costa Rica, alongside regional rivals Barbados and the Cayman Islands.
"Representing Bermuda means a lot to us," Gazzard said ahead of the April 24th - 26th event. "We’re excited for the opportunity to compete at this level and continue growing as players."
Weikl echoed those sentiments, adding: "We’re striving for the best possible results. We want to gain meaningful experience and continue growing both individually and as a team."
As the BVA continues to strengthen its international presence, all eyes will be on the Dominican sand this weekend to see if this seasoned duo can translate their year of preparation into a historic qualification.
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