While beach volleyball is typically rooted in teamwork, the Gold Coast League Individuals tournament places athletes in a uniquely high-pressure, independent position. In these tournaments, pairs compete on their own while still representing their school. Archer’s two pairs, Abigail Lennon (’28) and Sophie Salehi (’28) as well as Bella Sklaver (’29) and Sophie Shafipour (’27) competed together as duos.
Lennon is a varsity beach volleyball player and has been playing beach volleyball for five years: two years at Archer and three years at her previous school. She began playing and grew to love the sport because of her parents and friends.
According to Lennon, as the season progressed, players on Archer’s beach varsity team balanced individual improvement with team goals, preparing for high-stakes competition at the GCL Individuals tournament. According to Archer Athletics, this season, the varsity beach volleyball team finished with two losses and advanced into the playoffs after months of consistent play and development.
The Oracle sat down with Lennon to discuss her experience competing in GLC Individuals volleyball tournament.
How was your experience competing in an individual tournament while representing your team?
Abigail Lennon [AL]: It was definitely a lot of pressure, especially because you’re not just playing for yourself — you’re also representing everybody and everything you’ve worked on together this season. At the same time, it felt really worth it. It was super fun, and it felt like a really cool privilege to have that opportunity. Being able to compete at that level while knowing your team is behind you makes the experience really special.
What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
[AL]: It was definitely challenging because all of the players there are really strong and come from competitive schools, so it can feel pretty intimidating at first. But I think if you go in with the right mindset and try to stay confident, it becomes a lot more approachable. Instead of focusing on how good everyone else is, you just have to focus on your own game and what you’re good at.
How did your team support you before or during the tournament?
[AL]: Even though I was competing individually, my team was really supportive throughout the whole experience. Everyone stayed really positive and kept encouraging me, which helped a lot. They would remind me of what I’m good at and tell me to focus on my strengths rather than overthinking. Having that kind of support behind me made a big difference because it helped me stay confident and not feel like I was completely on my own.
Can you describe your role on the team?
[AL]: On the beach volleyball team, I try to be someone who is always supportive of others. I like giving advice and helping my teammates when I can, whether that’s during practice or in games. I think being positive and encouraging is really important because it helps create a better team environment and allows everyone to play with more confidence.
What did this experience teach you about yourself as an athlete?
[AL]: This experience taught me a lot about myself, not just as an athlete but also as a person. Through sports, especially beach volleyball, you can develop a lot of important social skills and learn how to connect with other people. Because you’re playing in smaller groups or with just one person, you really build communication and trust. I think this experience helped me grow in that way and showed me that the skills you gain from sports can be important in your life too.
How would you describe your season leading up to the tournament?
[AL]: I think that we did really well this year. We came in with a really strong and determined mindset, and I think that showed in how we played. All of the work we put into practice and improving throughout the season really reflected in our performance. It felt like everything we had been working on started to come together, which made being in the individual tournament even more meaningful.
What advice would you give to younger athletes hoping to reach your level?
[AL]: I would say to stay consistent and focus on the small details in your game. Improvement comes from the work you put in every day, not just during actual games. It’s also important to listen to feedback from coaches and be willing to adjust. You can’t let outside opinions distract you — just focus on what you need to improve and keep working on it.
