Hope Frost is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler High School for AZPreps365.com

QUEEN CREEK — Chandler’s No. 3 and No. 5 pairs delivered wins Wednesday night, but the Wolves came up just short in a 3–2 dual loss to Westwood that highlighted the importance of communication and chemistry in beach volleyball.

The loss drops Chandler to 2–2 in their first official season with AIA-sanctioned boys beach volleyball. Coach Bobby Robson said communication has defined the Wolves’ early matches as they continue to adjust to the two-on-two game.

“We can still communicate a lot better,” Robson said. “That’s the piece that makes the difference in these close sets. But I thought our threes played really well, and our fives showed they’re in a position to go out there and get a point for our team.”

Chandler’s No. 3 pair dropped a close opening set, 19–21, but regrouped and won the next two, 23–21 and 15–7. 

“First set, we didn’t have any communication,” said Alex Ormond, a junior on the team. “Second set, we had a lot — and we picked up our defensive wall too.”

That adjustment carried them through a deciding third set, giving Chandler its second point of the evening and keeping the Wolves in striking distance.

The Wolves’ other win came from juniors Austin Raines and Kai Nguyen, Chandler’s No. 5 pair and longtime teammates who won in straight sets, 21–19, 21–15.

“First set we let a lot of balls drop that we shouldn’t have,” Raines said. “Once we started calling block and defense, it cleaned up.”

Raines also spoke to the dynamic the pair have adopted on the court. 

“So me and Kai, we've known each other since our freshman year, so for three years, and we've been on the same club team for indoor every year,” he said. “[Coach] kind of puts us with people that we've played with for a long time, so we'll be able to play with them better and have a good connection with him.”

Even in defeat, the No. 4 pair’s resilience stood out. Seniors Anthony Quintana and Daivon Walton both played through injuries—a shoulder and an ankle—but still kept the team’s energy up.

“We kind of knew it wasn’t going to be our best game, so we just tried to have fun,” Quintana said. “Even if we’re losing, we just try to have as much fun as possible, because we play better when we’re having fun.”

For Robson, the dual was another step in Chandler’s growth curve. The Wolves are still catching up to schools with more beach experience, but the coach said the program is on the right track.

“Last year was a pilot season for us,” he said. “The Mesa schools have been doing this for about five years already. There’s definitely a bit of a learning curve with beach, and we’re catching up.”

Robson said coaches aren’t allowed to give instructions during a match, except during timeouts.

“It kind of allows them to solve their own problems,” he said. “That’s what I like about it—they’re forced to figure it out. And you really can’t hide out there.”

Looking ahead, Raines said the team hopes to limit its losses to three this season and believes the Wolves’ top pairs can compete deep into the state tournament.

Even in a narrow defeat, Chandler left the sand with two key wins and evidence that communication and chemistry could carry the Wolves forward this season.

Chandler (2–2) will play Seton Catholic Prep on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m., while Westwood (4–0) faces Queen Creek on Monday at 4 p.m.