Switzerland has a new beach volleyball duo. The Bernese sisters Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré will be teaming up in future.
Until now, Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré have been rivals on the court, dueling with their partners for an Olympic ticket in recent months. From now on, 32-year-old Anouk and her sister Zoé, who is six years younger, will compete side by side - with the long-term goal of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"It had been an option for some time, but the idea only became concrete in the last few weeks. This year as direct competitors has brought us even closer together and strengthened our belief that it can work as a team without jeopardizing our sisterly relationship," Anouk was quoted as saying in a statement from Swiss Volley.
She and her previous partner Joana Mäder decided to go their separate ways in mid-August after failing to qualify for the Olympics. Zoé's previous partner Esmée Böbner announced her retirement from top-level sport at the end of August. "If not now, then when? I'm delighted that we can fulfill this dream and work towards the same goals in the future," says Zoé.
Change of position for Anouk
For Anouk, the new team constellation also means another change in her position on the field. As in previous years, the Olympic bronze medalist from Tokyo will now play on the block again. Zoé, on the other hand, will continue to play defense.
The project is designed for the longer term. However, the World Championships in Australia in November 2025 will already be a highlight for the sister duo, who will play under the name Anouk/Zoé, next year.
Vergé-Dépré/Vergé-Dépré will not be playing together for the very first time. The sisters already competed together once at a European Championship in 2018 because Mäder had to take a break due to a back injury, and advanced to the round of 16.
What next for Hüberli/Brunner?
According to Sebastian Beck, head of competitive beach volleyball at Swiss Volley, a solution is also on the horizon for the team's coaching staff. The association intends to communicate this in the coming weeks.
It is also currently unclear whether the bronze medal winners from Paris, Tanja Hüberli/Nina Brunner, will continue on their path together. And Joana Mäder is also planning to continue her career with a new partner after her break until the end of the year.
SDA
