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Saturday, October 17, 2026
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Tough Day on the Sand for Bermuda Under-23 Duo
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Bermuda's Megan Hands and Natalie Gazzard endured another challenging outing on the sand as the Under-23 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour continued in San Salvador.
The Bermudian pairing suffered back-to-back defeats on Saturday, falling short in a marathon three-set battle in their final pool match before bowing out in straight sets during the classification playoffs.
Hands and Gazzard opened their day in Group D with an agonising 2-1 defeat against St Kitts and Nevis duo Shaylee Pinney and Jontelle Hensley Philip in a bruising 49-minute encounter.
In an extraordinary, see-saw opening frame, the Bermudians pushed their Caribbean rivals to the limit before Pinney and Philip edged a gruelling deuce battle to take the first set 27-25.
Bermuda mounted an emphatic response in the second set, controlling the tempo and dominating around the net to pull away and level the contest with a commanding 21-14 victory.
However, the momentum swung decisively away from Hands and Gazzard in the deciding tiebreak. Capitalising on early unforced errors, Pinney and Philip quickly seized control of the sand to wrap up the match with a clinical 15-7 decider.
Dropping into the 9th-to-12th place playoff bracket, the Bermudian pair returned to the court to face Costa Rica’s Laura Molina and Ashly Chavarría.
Still feeling the effects of their physical morning contest, Hands and Gazzard struggled to find their rhythm against the sharp, disciplined Central American pair.
Molina and Chavarría dictated the baseline rallies and neutralised the Bermudian attack from the outset, wrapping up a comprehensive 2-0 victory in just 26 minutes to seal their progression in the classification rounds.
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Friday, October 16, 2026
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Hands & Gazzard face tough NORCECA Beach Volleyball Opening
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Bermuda's Megan Hands and Natalie Gazzard endured a demanding opening day on the sand as the Under-23 NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Tour got under way in El Salvador.
Facing high-calibre regional opposition, the Bermudian pair suffered straight-set defeats in both of their group encounters in the capital.
In their tournament opener, Hands and Gazzard pushed Guatemala’s Daphne Mendoza and Marisabel Gonzalez hard during a competitive 34-minute duel.
The island duo showed sharp defensive resilience in a closely contested opening set before Mendoza and Gonzalez pulled away to secure a 21-17, 21-11 victory.
Hands and Gazzard were back on court shortly afterwards for their second fixture of the day, coming up against home favourites Maria Jimena Castañeda and Daniela Vigil.
With local support behind them, the Salvadoran tandem seized control from the outset, dictating the tempo at the net and capitalising on transition chances.
Despite energetic resistance, the Bermudian pair were unable to disrupt the hosts' rhythm, with Castañeda and Vigil closing out a 21-9, 21-10 triumph in 26 minutes.
Hands and Gazzard will now look to regroup and take key tactical lessons from their demanding opening exchanges as group-stage action continues.
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Tuesday, October 13, 2026
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Gazzard and Hands to lead Bermuda on NORCECA U23 Beach Tour
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Bermudian beach volleyball pair Natalie Gazzard and Megan Hands will represent the island at the upcoming NORCECA Under-23 Beach Continental Tour event in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The duo have been officially selected by the Bermuda Volleyball Association (BVA) for the three-day competition, which runs from 16 to 18 October.
Defender Gazzard and blocker Hands arrive in Central America looking to build on an encouraging campaign that has already yielded notable milestones on the international stage.
Earlier this summer, the tandem secured a historic 12th-place finish at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the Dominican Republic—the highest placing ever achieved by a Bermudian beach volleyball team at the regional multi-sport event.
They added further top-tier continental exposure in July when they paired up for the senior NORCECA Beach Tour stop in Honduras.
Both players have been based in Canada balancing academic studies with collegiate volleyball training programmes, before linking up to make the journey south to San Salvador.
The Under-23 tour forms a cornerstone of NORCECA’s player development pathway, pitting emerging prospects against high-level opposition across North, Central America and the Caribbean.
For Gazzard and Hands, the weekend tournament represents another vital test of their chemistry and tactical growth on the sand as they continue to spearhead the next generation of Bermudian volleyball talent.
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Thursday, October 01, 2026
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ECVA Spotlight on Bermuda's Cailey Longworth
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The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association has revealed a Spotlight on Cailey Longworth as the Best Libero of the recently concluded tournament
She doesn't make the big kills, but she keeps the ball off the floor when it matters most. We caught up with Bermuda's Cailey Longworth, Best Libero at the last ECVA tournament in Tortola.
Q: What went through your mind when you found out you'd won the award?
A: "I was incredibly honoured. To be recognized as the 'best' at something is a huge achievement, especially knowing how many talented liberos I competed against. As a libero, I may not be the player making the big kills or scoring the points, but I can make sure the ball stays off the floor when it matters most. To have that contribution recognized was really special to me."
Q: How did you get started in volleyball, and what drew you to the libero position?
A: "Volleyball has always been part of my life. My older cousin, Amber Lopes, also played for Bermuda, and I grew up watching her school trainings, grabbing a ball and copying their drills. I officially started with the Bermuda Volleyball Association in 2016. Becoming a libero wasn't necessarily my choice. My height probably had more of a say than I did! But my coaches saw something in me that I didn't yet see in myself, and I'm very grateful for that."
Q: How has your game developed over the years?
A: "After 10 years in the position, the biggest development has been my mindset. The libero is supposed to be the 'best passer,' and that comes with pressure. My teammates and coaches have never allowed me to believe I wasn't capable of meeting that standard. They've helped me realise what I'm capable of achieving."
Q: What did preparation look like heading into Tortola?
A: "A lot of us have played together for several years, so there was a strong sense of familiarity. Our preparation was about building on that chemistry, sharpening our skills and being ready to compete as a unit."
Q: What's next, and what's your message to young players in Bermuda?
A: "Next year is a big one for Bermuda volleyball: the Final Four and the Island Games in the Faroe Islands. To the next generation: anything is possible, but the support of the people around you is so important. Build those connections, support one another and enjoy the little moments just as much as the big ones. Volleyball can teach you so much beyond the game. Just be open to embracing every part of the journey."
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Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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ECVA Spotlight on Bermuda's Olivia Gazzard
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The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association has revealed a Spotlight on Olivia Gazzard as the Best Setter of the recently concluded tournament
Best Setter – Olivia Gazzard (Bermuda)
A setter's job is all about decisions: reading the block and picking the right spot for the ball in a split second, rally after rally. Olivia did that all tournament and helped lead Bermuda to a big win in the final, playing alongside her sister Natalie. We caught up with her after the awards
Was there a match or rally where everything clicked?
"It's very difficult to narrow it down to one moment, but there were a few times when everything just flowed naturally, especially in the final. Our team was very focused, and I was dialed in on putting the ball in areas that gave our hitters the best chance to succeed. I felt confident in my decisions and trusted my hitters to execute when we needed them. As a setter, it's such a great feeling when you're in sync with the whole team. In the final, we put it all together at the right time, which led to a big win for Bermuda."
You and Natalie were sisters long before you were setter and hitter. Can she read a look from you on court the way she would at home?
"Being sisters definitely helps. Natalie and I are very close, so sometimes we can communicate with just a look or a quick signal. At the same time, playing together has taught us a different kind of communication on the court. We've learned to trust each other and understand what the other person needs at the moment. Not many people get to share the court with their siblings and win together, so I'm very grateful for the fun and success we shared this tournament."
What does it mean to see two players from the same family and the same program recognized at an ECVA championship?
"It means a lot to both of us. We're really proud to represent Bermuda and our Paradise Hitters junior club, especially since we grew up in the same program together. I've always looked up to my sister, and seeing her recognized for all her hard work is very special. She had a great tournament, and so did our whole team. Volleyball is a team sport, and everyone contributed. We're very fortunate to play with such a great group of ladies and learn from everyone around us."
What can this success do for volleyball back home, especially for young girls watching?
"I hope it shows young girls in Bermuda that there are opportunities for them in volleyball if they work hard, believe in themselves and work toward a common goal. You don't have to come from a big place to compete and succeed. I'm very grateful for all the support from our coaches, parents, the BVA and our sponsors. Without them, none of this would be possible. I really hope this win encourages younger players to train with a purpose and keep chasing their goals."
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