St. Thomas University’s Melony Poviones and her teammate, Leah Morales, representing Team USA in Footvolley, won their qualifying matches in the U.S. Olympics trials in Seaside, Oregon and advanced to the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as a demonstration event of the sport.
In their matches, the two players rotated and tallied the results of the title “Queen of the Court,” as they proved to be the best pair and will make the trip to Brazil for demonstration of their sport.
“There’s really nothing better than getting to travel and continue doing what you love,” Poviones said.
Footvolley has been around for years but it’s finally getting the world exposure on the world stage this Summer. The hybrid sport mixes soccer and beach volleyball.
However, unlike volleyball, players aren’t allowed to use their hands and arms, and the techniques of soccer helps players, as they put together combinations using their legs, chests and heads.
Teams are allowed three touches per possession and attempt to get the ball over the net and land in their opponents’ boundaries.
Poviones and Morales competed against pairs from Miami, Santa Cruz, California; Washington D.C. and Portland, Oregon during the tournament and emerged victorious to earn the trip to Rio de Janeiro.