SPORTS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Kirstein says even though indoor volleyball and beach “After playing professionally I took a few years off, and volleyball share a few skill sets, they are truly unique sports. when I came back to the sport, I still enjoyed it but my Aside from the differing court locations and surfaces, beach perspective had changed,” she says. “I realized winning just courts are smaller, measuring 8x8 meters as opposed to the wasn’t as important to me anymore. It was more about 9x9 meters of indoor courts. In addition to the smaller sharing my knowledge of the game with other players and playing area, it’s the smaller team size that Kirstein finds helping them achieve their goals.” most appealing. From 2011 on Kirstein competed in the occasional pro-am “The reason I enjoy beach volleyball tournament for fun while continuing to more is because you have to be a wellcoach indoor volleyball at a local club. rounded athlete and good at all the Knowing, however, that beach volleyball skills, because you’re involved in every was her true passion, in 2018 she started play and don’t have a specialized Wilmington Beach Academy. Using the position,” Kirstein says. “When you’re sand courts at Dig & Dive Bar and Grill playing doubles, there’s no substitutions as her location, Kirstein began offering and you’re involved in every play, private lessons to middle and high whereas in indoor volleyball, there are school students. six players who’re only responsible for It wasn’t until the restaurant one sixth of the court. If you’re playing permanently closed in the beginning of beach volleyball and you’re tanking, it’s 2020 that she decided to take a leap of brutal, but that’s just a part of the game.” faith and open her own training facility. Kirstein believes another benefit of Situated just off Village Road at 9892 beach volleyball is the forgiving nature Wayne Street, Volley Village includes of the surroundings on your body. two beach volleyball courts, a Diving in sand doesn’t tend to hurt 450-square-foot lounge building and nearly as much as on an indoor court. restroom and unlimited potential. Also, since beach volleyball is more of a “It’s truly been a labor of love,” finesse game than a power game, there Kirstein says. “Aside from the actual are fewer instances of shoulder or back courts being installed, my husband and I injuries and less likelihood of physical have done all the work. We built the contact with fellow teammates. Plus, the seven-foot fences around the property outdoor environment is just plain fun. ourselves, and we remodeled and “You’re playing outside in the sun, refurbished the little building, which usually with music playing, and it’s a was in rough shape.” more laid-back scene,” Kirstein says. The bulk of Kirstein’s clients are juniors “With indoor volleyball, it’s inside, it’s ranging in age from middle grades all the loud, and it’s just a different feeling.” way up through high school seniors. She Having found her true calling to be in also coaches adults and plans to offer more the sand, Kirstein competed in the AVP clinics, leagues and tournaments as she Gina Kirstein competed in the AVP Tour from 2002 to 2007. Tour from 2002 to 2007, but in her down expands. Many of the players she trains time coached indoor volleyball and have no prior beach volleyball experience, worked as a mortgage lender. She and her husband, Erik, while others come having played indoor volleyball and wanting moved to Wilmington in 2004, the same year she and her to transition to beach. Kirstein also coaches athletes looking to teammate won the Motherlode Tournament, one of the most play at the collegiate level and she enjoys helping these young popular pro-am volleyball tournaments in the country. After athletes develop their skills and achieve their goals. several years traveling back and forth to California, training “I love coaching, so my hope is that I can introduce people and competing on the AVP Tour, Kirstein decided to turn her to the game and have them fall in love with it,” she says. “I focus to coaching a younger generation of beach volleyball want to help my players with whatever their goals are, enthusiasts. whether it’s playing recreationally and having a good time or 60
North Brunswick Magazine
