CHARLESTON, S.C. - Maddy Cardenas '23, a former The Citadel volleyball standout, has made impressive progress from a beginner camp to earning a spot on the US national beach handball team. Her quick rise in the sport led to her playing in the Global Beach Tour held in Spain this past July.
 
In November and December of 2024, Maddy found a beginner handball camp through an advertisement email. The camp, led by USA players and coaches, was held at the end of January and featured two indoor handball sessions on the first day, followed by an indoor and beach session on the second day. During the camp, Maddy connected with members of a local beach handball club that practiced near her regular beach volleyball spot. Her experience playing in the sand gave her an advantage in adapting to beach handball, which is significantly different from its indoor version.
 
By mid-February, Maddy started attending practice sessions regularly, where she received guidance and support that helped her improve her skills and understanding of the game. Her dedication paid off when, in May, she was chosen for the US national team through a virtual tryout process that involved video submissions and her athletic history.
 
The US national beach handball team, with players scattered across the country, gathered in Spain for the Global Beach Tour in July. There, they competed against seasoned teams from Poland, Portugal, and Spain. Despite their efforts, the US team finished fourth, highlighting the strong beach handball culture and the resources available to European teams.
 
Maddy plays the Pivot position in beach handball, a sport where goals are usually worth one point but can be worth two with a 360-degree jump shot or an alley-oop. The US team faced challenges against their European rivals, who benefit from consistently living and practicing together, factors that help improve their skills and teamwork.