14 Nov 2015

Sport: Rio on the mind for Vanuatu volleyballers

2:52 pm on 14 November 2015

The Vanuatu Beach Volleyball duo of Miller Pata and Linline Matauatu have finished competition for the year but are already thinking about how to seal Olympic qualification.

The pair are ranked 19th in the world and need to get inside the top-16 by June to book their spot in Rio next August.

Pata and Matauata finished in a share of 17th place at the World Championships earlier this year and last weekend regained the Oceania women's title.

Miller Pata, who was named MVP of that event, says they will resume their quest for rankings points in the new year.

"Next year we start off in January on the World Tour - first tournament in Brazil. We have to play well in the Grand Slam and Open [events]: we have three Grand Slam and four Open next year. We have to be good in these tournaments."

Miller Pata says after a busy year the pair are looking forward to some time at home with their families.

Vanuatu beach volleyball players Miller Pata and Linline Mansale

Vanuatu beach volleyball players Miller Pata and Linline Mansale Photo: Vanuatu Volleyball