5,000-mile trip worth the journey for Queen & KIng of the Court, say Brits Keefe and Evans

It’s 5,272 miles (8,485 kilometres) between Grand Canyon University in Arizona and Canary Wharf, where the eagerly-awaited tournament will begin with the first women’s semi-final, in which they feature, at 5pm tomorrow (Friday 20th September). 

But the fact that the English-born American-based pair are flying first from Phoenix to Las Vegas and then Las Vegas to London means that, in air miles, the journey is even further.

That’s one heck of a commitment from a duo who first came together in the lead up to the Nations Cup held in Madrid in May, where they performed well to secure victories against Israel and Bulgaria and only narrowly missed out against Norway. 

Even so, it is one they feel is well worth making given the significance of the event for the sport in London, England and the UK as a whole.  

What is the first major international beach volleyball event to be held in the city since the London 2012 Olympics is set to be an important occasion, potentially seismic – and Katie and Anaya want to be part of it. 

“I’m really excited to play this event,” said Katie. “I think the hard work everyone has put in to make something like this possible is incredible. 

“Playing in front of a home crowd is one of my favourite parts of the sport and I’m so excited for what this means for the future of British volleyball. 

“There have been many people working behind the scenes for years to make something like this possible and I feel this is only the beginning. 

“Beach Volleyball in England has been growing at both the performance and recreational level and I believe it will continue in this direction. 

“With the new indoor beach courts being built (at BCU) in Birmingham and the work being done by Volleyball England, UKBT, and clubs such as SideOut, Deep Dish, Fireball, and Richmond, I don’t see why we can’t host more events. 

“Hopefully this showcase will exhibit the potential of our sport and encourage sponsors and the general public to get behind such a dynamic and exciting sport.” 

Katie feels that her burgeoning partnership with Anaya is developing all the time and that the speed of their progress is linked to the fact they live so close together. 

While Katie, 21, has been playing for GCU, Anaya, 25, is an assistant coach of the volleyball squad, meaning they know each other well.    

She said: “It’s really nice that Anaya and I are in the same place to be able to train. GCU provides us with the most amazing resources and support. 

“Even though I have commitments to training with my college team, Anaya and I have been able to get many sessions in, and are seeing the improvement. 

“We are fortunate that the head coach of the programme, Abra Rummel, is so supportive and makes it possible for us to seize the opportunities that are coming our way.” 

Though the Queen & King of the Court format has been around for several years now, Katie and Anaya admit to being ‘newbies’ at it. 

The pair, who have this summer competed together on Beach Pro Tour Future Futures in Messina and Halifax, are, however, relishing the prospect. 

“This will be our first experience of this format in a competitive setting. I think that it is a really exciting form of our sport that showcases beach volleyball at its finest,” said Katie. 

“It is also a really fun format that allows for innovative and creative plays as well as unique partnerships that wouldn’t be seen in a world tour event. 

“There are no timeouts and less time to reset, therefore you must be switched on and ready to go at all times, which is a nice mental challenge and a fun experience for the spectators as it’s non-stop action.” 

For Katie, QKOTC brings her back to her roots, having first developed her love for the sport at London’s Richmond Volleyball Club. 

With other players who have also featured for the club in the past – including the UK’s number one men’s team Javier and Joaquin Bello – she believes there will be plenty of interested spectators – especially as it is free to all to watch at the Canada Square venue  (E14 5AH).  

Katie said: “Richmond is a very family and community-centred club, and I always feel the support from them. I attribute a lot of my success to the club and the coaches that invested in me as an athlete. 

“I am hoping for a good turn out from the Richmond volleyball community as I know their enthusiasm for the sport is unmatched... playing beach year round in England is not for the weak. 

“I am trying to encourage everyone to come to this event because I think it creates such a fun atmosphere, so there will definitely be some former teammates in the crowd, as well as on the court. I will, for sure, be an enthusiastic spectator when I am not competing!” 

For Anaya, originally from North Devon, playing this QKOTC London Showcase represents a proud moment for her. 

She first played volleyball at Georgeham Primary school in North Devon under first coach Denise Austin and has played around the world with various partners, in addition to studying and graduating in the US.  

She became the first British woman to secure a beach volleyball scholarship with a US college and led GCU to two national championship appearances as captain prior to taking on her coaching role. 

“Coming back to the UK to compete in this event is incredibly special to me,” said Anaya. “Firstly, it’s about representing my country and showcasing the talent we have here on home soil. 

“The atmosphere at UK events is always amazing and to see that combined with the electric vibes of King & Queen of the Court, I’m sure will be exhilarating! 

“Additionally, the chance to play in front of friends and family is something I cherish. It’s not just about the competition; it’s about sharing those moments with the people who have supported me from the beginning. 

“This particular event also has a reputation for attracting top-level competition, which is a great opportunity to showcase what beach volleyball is and can be! Katie and I are thrilled to be coming home and will proudly represent Team England!” 

Like Katie, Anaya has been encouraged by the way the pair have performed since first coming together. 

She said: “I’m really pleased with how we’ve developed as a pair since teaming up. We’ve built a strong chemistry both on and off the court, which has really translated into our gameplay.  

“Our communication has improved with every match, and I feel like we complement each other’s strengths perfectly. 

“We’ve learned to adapt to each other’s styles, and our trust in one another has grown tremendously. There’s a special energy when we play together, and it’s rewarding to see that reflected in our performance. 

“Overall, I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and can’t wait to keep pushing forward. Katie is a baller and continues to impress me with her ability to play and with who she is as a person... it’s a blessing to be on court beside her.” 

The Queen & King of the Court event brings together some top international talent along with some of the best players training and playing on these shores. 

Katie and Anaya’s draw includes Olympian Marie-Sára Štochlová  (Czechia) and Sunniva Helland-Hansen (Norway), New Zealanders Alice Zeimann and Olivia MacDonald, Scots Katie Barbour and Rachel Morrison and guest SideOut pairing Aga Adamek and Ezster Nagy.  

But it is a test Anaya is ready for, enjoying the challenge of taking on some high-calibre performers. 

“I’m really looking forward to playing against some of the top teams in the world,” she said. “I have some good friends on the circuit, and facing them is always a mix of fun and fierce competition. 

“I love the challenge of playing against familiar faces, as it adds a layer of camaraderie and motivation. Each match is a learning opportunity, and I can’t wait to see how we adapt and grow through these different challenges. 

“It’s all about pushing ourselves to improve and enjoying each moment.” 

This weekend is one of those rare occasions that family and friends can jump in a car rather than on a plane to offer their support, and Anaya will be grateful for that backing. 

She will be happy to welcome some familiar faces to the iconic surroundings of Canary Wharf. 

Anaya said: “It’s such a rare opportunity for my family and friends to drive and support me, so I’m really hoping they can make it. Having them in the stands makes a huge difference... it brings an extra level of motivation and excitement. 

“I’m so thankful to have an amazing support network that encourages me from all over the world and seeing some of them in person will be amazing! Plus, it’s a chance for them to experience the event and the amazing atmosphere that comes with it. I’m really looking forward to sharing this experience with them! 

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Find out more about the QKOTC London Showcase on the event’s home page by clicking here.