Gage Basey
6-5
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 16, 2025) — Two U.S. beach pairs hit the sand in the Dominican Republic next week for the 2025 Beach Volleyball U23 NORCECA Continental Tour in Juan Dolio, May 23-25.
Emma Donley and Portia Sherman are competing on the women’s side, with Gage Basey and Thomas Hurst on the men’s side. Last year on the U23 NORCECA Continental Tour, Ayden Keeter and Carson Barnes won gold for the men, and Isabella Martinez and Ella Connor won gold for the men.
Basey/Hurst are currently competing at the 2025 World University Games Trials in Manhattan Beach and are members of the A2 Beach National Team as well. Last year, as part of the 2024 Beach Collegiate National Team, they finished tied for ninth at the World University Championship.
“Ever since I started playing and watching volleyball, I always looked up to those who wore the USA jersey,” Hurst said. “Representing your country is the highest honor we can have as athletes, so to be able to compete in the Dominican Republic means the world to me. Gage and I are spending time in California together to practice against the best teams in the country before heading off. We have a fantastic coaching staff and group traveling with us, and I am very excited to get back out on the sand in international competition.”
Donley was a member of the 2024 Beach U23 National Team, and she and Sherman are teammates for the California Golden Bears beach team.
“There is no greater honor than to have the opportunity to represent my country,” Donley said.” I’m very proud to compete as a pair and add this experience to my athletic resume.”
Cal assistant beach coach Dancer Styles will lead Donley/Sherman on the sand, and Beach Nation’s Mark Fishman will coach Basey/Hurst. Sam Schaff of the San Diego Mojo is the athlete trainer, and Beach NTDP Lead Judit Kolada is the team leader.
