Congratulations to CIS' Ryleigh Van Neck and partner Malina Baker, who placed fifth at the women's U19 Australian Junior National Beach Volleyball Championships (AJBVC), held in Perth on 6-9 April. Ryleigh, an outside hitter for CIS' varsity court volleyball team who enjoys playing in the sand during the off season, was honoured and delighted when asked to join the New South Wales (NSW) state representative team for the competition, stating "it was an incredible opportunity to receive excellent coaching, and to be a part of a really positive team atmosphere."

The tournament hosted the top 20 junior (U19) women's teams in Australia. Ryleigh (17) and Malina (15), having won the New South Wales State Junior Championship earlier in the year, had qualified to to represent NSW at this National event.

New South Wales (NSW) team coach Sarah Richter had this to say about the girls: "Malina and Ryleigh played a great tournament at the AJBVCs. They won 3 out of 4 games in their pool and only came short against the number one seeded team from Queensland, who had also won the competition in the previous year. Due to an unlucky draw, it was the same team that they faced again in their quarter finals, but this time they wouldn't go down without a fight. Pushed on by the crowd and their own momentum, they won the first set and only came a few points short in the second, so all hopes were on the third set.

Unfortunately, the Queensland team proved too strong for the girls, but it was their best performance of the tournament nevertheless. I am very proud of what the girls achieved over these few days. Their development was incredible and they grew as a team to overcome all challenges. It was a pleasure to coach these promising athletes and I wish them all the best for their future, on and off the sand."