OVA News

With 17 years of experience that includes highlights such as Team Captain of the Michigan State University Spartans, competing in the NCAA Final Four and a pro career in Europe, some people might wonder why Dana Cooke would ever give up playing indoor volleyball for beach.
When asked what she most likes about beach, her reply is a confident, “How challenging it is. You are also forced to deal with individual pressure that can often be hidden or defrayed in the indoor game. There are no subs on the beach. You can’t hide your mistakes so it increases your mental toughness to deal with those times where you aren’t playing your best. You have to find a way out of it. It makes you very self reliant.”

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Dana: “In the beginning, just for fun. I was invited to the National Team selection camp and decided to attend to see the level and what the game was all about. I had no idea I would be asked to go on the World Tour and try to make the 2008 Beijing Olympics!”

While at the National Team selection camp Dana was approached to play with the top female player in Canada at that time, Annie Martin.  It was a risky move for such an established player to try for an Olympics in a very short 2 years with a rookie to the sand but it was a challenge Dana was more than up for.  In the end the pair came a heartbreaking four spots short. But what an accomplishment to be ranked 28th in the world after only two years and never having played beach before.

OVA: What’s your best memory from Beach?
Dana: “The first time we earned a spot in the main draw in Singapore by defeating China 3 in the third set.  They were ranked first in the qualifier and it was a huge upset.  Having come from many years of indoor and not really knowing the beach game it was the moment I felt, ‘Wow, I think I really can do this!’ ”

This season Dana is coaching the U17 Girls at Toronto Element. Most of her athletes played on the OVA Beach Tour this past season.

OVA: What benefits does Beach have for indoor players?
Dana: “Many. Since you are one of two players on the court you have to be able to do everything well.  It increases your basic skills to be an all-round player and makes athletes multi-dimensional.”

OVA: Any advice you would give to an athlete with the goal of representing Canada?
Dana: “There is no substitute for PLAYING. Play as much as you can and try to do two things; learn from an experienced player as well as teaching younger athletes how to play. Being a coach yourself makes you look at the skills differently and asking questions from many different experienced players provides you with invaluable information.  There are many paths to success in beach, you just have to find out what yours is.”

Although there are countless benefits for athletes who play beach volleyball there is one thing Dana would change about the sport. “I would change the image beach has,” she says and adds, “Its an incredibly demanding, athletic and highly tactical sport.  Unfortunately because of the nature if being associated with the beach (and wearing bathing suits for uniforms) there is a stigma of it not be a seriously competitive sport.  Anyone that has played beach can tell you just how challenging even moving around in the sand is.
Thanks to Dana for her help with this article, and good luck this season with Element.

If you would like to recommend an athlete for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233.