Latvian beach volleyball standout Tina Graudina is gearing up to compete in the esteemed Gstaad Elite tournament. Part of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, this event sees her partnering with Liva Ebere, an impressive 18-year-old. Remarkably, this marks the first occasion the reigning world champion isn’t teaming up with her long-time partner Anastasija Samoilova, ending a decade-long collaboration.

Graudina and Ebere recently proved their ability by clinching victory at a Latvian tour stop. They triumphed over Samoilova and her mixed partner Daniela Alvarez with a dominant display. For Ebere, this collaboration represents her debut at an Elite event, despite participating in the Beach Pro Tour since 2022.

In the iconic Swiss setting, the Gstaad Elite will see contenders fight for eight coveted spots in the main draw. Anticipation builds as experienced competitors like:

• American duo Kristen Cruz and Taryn Brasher
• Brazilian stars Ana Patricia Ramos and Eduarda Lisboa

These teams prepare to challenge the Latvian pair. The team must deliver peak performances to earn their main draw position.

Matches commence on July 1st, starting with qualifying rounds that lead into pool play. The tournament format progresses to knockout stages, culminating in the finals. Teams are not just vying for podium finishes in Gstaad's 25th world-level event but are aspiring to stand out among the top tiers of beach volleyball. This tournament offers an essential challenge for the Latvian team as they strive to make a significant mark.

For further details, you can read more on the Volleyball World website.