Dutch pair Katja Stam and Raïsa Schoon are set to compete at the King of the Court tournament in Utrecht, Netherlands from September 9-12. Read about their recent successes in the Netherlands.
In the midst of a summer filled with the unexpected, Katja Stam and Raïsa Schoon found top form to win the Dutch national championships last week in Scheveningen beating the 2018 European Champions Sanne Keizer and Madeline Meppelink in a thrilling three-set final. Stam has told us that "there is more to come from the pairing and she can’t wait to show the world that there is a new team coming up."
It has been a fantastic ‘short’ season for the young pairing who are turning lots of heads with their good results. Stam, a 192cm left-handed blocker, who is still only 21 years old, matched with a defender in Schoon who is just 19, means the Dutch fans have another team to be very excited about.
Stam explains to us how she loved the pressure of the final that was played in the toughest weather conditions of the season, that included rain, a lot of wind and even some hail. These conditions made the win even more ‘special’.
"We played pretty good even in the conditions. We played five matches and lost two sets, one of them was in the final. The third set was insane! We were 14-12 behind so the game was almost over, but Raisa and I kept on fighting and after three match points for them, we made our first one and ended the game with a 15-17 win. That's how I want to play a final, having that real pressure at the end of the game."
Stam and Schoon not only were victorious last weekend in Schevenigen but also won three previous national tour stops of the Covid-interrupted season. A big statement in Dutch volleyball, but Stam still feels there is still some growth, experience and titles needed to match the likes of Sanne Keizer and Madelein Meppelink.
"At the moment, we won three Dutch tours of this year and this last national champs. So I think you can say it is a statement. Still, I know that we aren't even close to anything that a team like Keizer/Meppelink has achieved. So I'm happy with all our results and the improvements we make every week, but I know there is a lot more to go and a lot more to train before we are really top of the world."
Stam’s obviously aware that there is still a lot of work to be done but her confidence is certainly growing and there is a feeling from within the camp that herself and Schoon are ready to compete at the next level.
"I think I'm ready to compete at a higher level on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour now. I can't wait to start with it and show everybody that there is a new top team coming up."
The pairing haven’t had the chance to play together on the World Tour yet due to combining at the start of the 2020 season, but when asked about the secret to their domestic success so far, Stam was sure it was because they are playing with a smile of their faces.
undefined"I think that we both have a lot of fun in the court. We both love beach volleyball. So as soon as we step on court we want to win but also enjoy every point we make. Even in the rain last weekend we were the only ones laughing."
Stam and Schoon’s success has been nurtured by the Dutch federation for some time with both athletes representing the Netherlands. Both players have also built experience by participating in European and World age category competitions. Schoon also has a couple of World Tour victories with Emi van Driel.
The pairing and their coaches have worked hard for their success but due to the situation in 2020, Stam, isn’t putting their success down to being overly planned and periodised, but part of a late plan due to the local lockdowns and quarantines, where the team had to adapt and find a way to be successful.
"It was part of a plan, but in March and April when we had the quarantine there wasn't a plan at all. I even thought that maybe there wouldn't be any tournaments this year. Then it suddenly changed. On June 26 they announced a tournament on July 1 and they were working on some other tournaments too. So in five days the plans were totally switched. But at the moment you know, there is a short season, there are also few tournaments, so it is very easy if you perform well that you have a successful season. But also the other way around. So if you fail at even one or two tournaments, it is almost a bad season. So as soon as I knew that, I wanted to be successful this year. And the fact that it is going that way is such an awesome feeling!”
A feeling of wanting to be successful is something you feel from being around Stam, and the shorter Dutch season brings some new challenges physically, challenges that won’t stop Stam enjoying her volleyball.
"Normally our season is over after the Dutch championships. But now it has just started. Even though it is very short, there are a lot of tournaments in a few weeks. Normally we have some rest weeks in between tournaments, but this year it is one big series of tournaments which I can feel physically. But I'm still feeling fit and enjoying every tournament I can play!"
The Dutch Tour isn’t the only event that Stam and Schoon are training. The King of The Court is also taking place in Utrecht between the September 9-12 and presents a big opportunity for the newly crowned Dutch champions to test themselves against international opposition in a different format of the game.
“Every week is a challenge to be the best again and next month we finally have a little bit of an international feeling because of KOTC in Utrecht. I'm super excited to play in the incredible stadium they are gonna build! I hope it will be as successful as it was two years ago.”
2020 has certainly been a testing year, but it has also been one to remember for Katja Stam and Raïsa Schoon and we look forward to seeing how their journey progresses at the King Of The Court 2020 in just under two weeks time.
Quick links:
King of the Court 2020
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
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