Summer to remember for Humana-Paredes
It was a summer of sand, sun and championships for Melissa Humana-Paredes.
The soon to be 16-year-old and partner Victoria Altomare stacked their trophy case winning several prestigious beach volleyball tournaments in Canada and the United States.
The winning began in July when the duo captured the under 18 U.S. Beach Nationals crown in California. Humana-Paredes and Altomare became the first international team to win a women’s division in that event.
Back on home soil, the girls, who have been partners for over two years, took home the under-18 provincial title in early August. They ended the summer with a Canadian national championship in late August at Ashbridge’s Bay.
It was Humana-Paredes’ second national title and Altomare’s first. The fact the girls were not expecting to accomplish so much made their success even more impressive.
“Before the season started, our goal was to finish top four at the provincials and hopefully top five at the (Canadian) nationals,” Humana-Paredes said. “We were moving up an age category and were going to be the youngest girls there.
“So to win as much as we did was a big surprise.”
Even with so much provincial and national success, the Roncesvalles and Garden area resident said her favourite memory was a July tournament in Coburg.
The duo entered a 21-and-under event to gain some experience. When the tournament began, Humana-Paredes realized 24-and-under teams were also part of their draw.
No problem. The girls captured that title too.
“We just entered that tournament for fun,” she said with a laugh. “So we were shocked to actually win. We beat older teams that ended up going to the world championships.
“I think they underestimated us,” Humana-Paredes added. “But when they realized that we weren’t just a couple of kids, it was too late for them to adjust.”
Humana-Paredes said having lower expectations heading into the season helped them perform on the court. Being good friends off the court didn’t hurt either.
“We played just to do our best. There was no pressure and we were playing relaxed,” she said. “We weren’t pushing ourselves by saying, ‘If we don’t win this we suck’.
“We’re so positive on the court it’s ridiculous … and we compliment each other so well,” Humana-Paredes added. “What I lack in she’s amazing at, and what she lacks I make up for it. I couldn’t imagine playing with someone I don’t like.”
With the 2008 beach season over, Humana-Paredes shifts focus to her grade 11 year at Humberside Collegiate. But that doesn’t mean the duo won’t stop hitting the sand.
With a hope of representing Canada at the 2009 Under-19 World Championships, Humana-Paredes and Altomare will be practicing all winter.
“Now that we’ve accomplished so much, I would like to see how the competition is outside of Canada and the United States,” Humana-Paredes said. “I know we’ve proved that we can go to the worlds and compete.”
Long-term, Humana-Paredes hopes a trip to the Olympics is in the team’s future, with 2016 being the duo’s first real opportunity.