Beach volleyball returned to the 2025 National Senior Games with athletes embracing the challenge of the sand and the joy of competition.
Beach volleyball is back at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, and athletes are bringing the energy to The Sands Volleyball Club in Des Moines. With the hot sun, steady rallies and flying sand, the event has become a favorite for competitors and spectators alike.
For many athletes, beach volleyball offers the perfect blend of competition, challenge and the love of the game. Miura Gonzales, 60, originally from Mexico and now living in Nashville, Tennessee, is playing both indoor and beach volleyball this year, but she has a clear favorite.
“I like beach better,” Miura said. “The sand isn’t very stable, which makes it harder to jump. You also have to hustle more because there are fewer players.”
Miura discovered beach volleyball by chance while in college in Mexico. One day, when the basketball courts were full, she and her sister wandered over to the volleyball courts and asked to join a group of girls who were passing the ball. “They said yes and invited us to join their team,” she recalled. “I’ve been playing ever since.”
Mike Schultz, 70, from North Carolina, shares that passion. A lifelong athlete who started playing at 17, Mike is competing in his third National Senior Games and in both volleyball formats.
“Beach is more fun,” he said. “It’s more about ball control. And just being out there on the beach, in the sand, in good weather – that’s what makes it so enjoyable.”
Like Miura, Mike agrees that beach volleyball comes with extra challenges. “It’s definitely harder than indoor,” he said. Still, both athletes are quick to say that the difficulty is part of the appeal.
By: Gabi Mercurio
