42 DECEMBER 2025 By Alex Gross After not dropping a single set in what was a breakout freshman season, Alitza Turley and Jade Smith decided to test their talents on the world stage. Traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to compete in the Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship, the duo placed third in their under-16 age group. “There were a lot of different styles of volleyball that we saw,” Jade said, noting the competition of countries like El Salvador and Italy. “I feel like it helped me see not just how different countries play, but also made us a lot better at communication.” Their 16-0 match record and 32-0 set record at Arcadia last year can be attributed to the chemistry the pair built through playing on the same club team. Alitza and Jade both joined RPM Sand four years ago, learning the intricacies of beach volleyball from Ryan Mariano, a former No. 1 ranked recruit out of high school. “We already have that connection outside the sport,” Alitza said. “It’s just fun to be able to bring it over when we play together.” Make no mistake, this duo takes their version of “fun” extremely seriously. “When the opportunity came to go to Puerto Rico and compete and not just represent RPM, but represent the United States, they were all over it,” Coach Mariano said. “Those two have that ‘put your head down and grind’ mentality, and that’s exactly what they did.” Interest in beach volleyball has exponentially grown in the Valley since the AIA introduced it as a sport in 2012. Many indoor athletes have transitioned to the sand, but some, like Jade, continue to juggle both sports. “It’s definitely different because the beach court is a little bit smaller, but it’s still super hard because there are only two people compared to six, and it’s hard to run in the sand,” Alitza said. With college recruitment looming on the horizon, the pair is still grinding out tournaments and college camps with their next steps in mind. Both Alitza and Jade have tailored their class schedules to end at lunch and allow them to train in the afternoons. Jade, who recently won 4A Desert Sky Region Player of the Year and First Team honors for indoor volleyball, still isn’t sure which variation of the sport she wants to pursue. “I want to play both in college,” she said. “Whether that’s at the same time or splitting time, like two years and two years.” There might not be a better person to have in your corner throughout the recruitment process than Coach Mariano, whose RPM Sand has put over 100 athletes in college volleyball programs across the country. “I would anticipate their career moving them into a Division 1 college,” he said. “Where that is will be predicated on the decisions that they make that best fit their life, needs, wants, and aspirations for the future.” Balancing athletics and academics is a hereditary trait for the two. Both were raised in athletically inclined families, with Jade’s dad inspiring her to follow in his footsteps in volleyball, and Alitza’s sister, Vessa, pursuing professional tennis aspirations at San Diego State University (and recently winning the Mountain West Conference fall doubles title). Perhaps the most exciting part of their young careers isn’t their accomplishments, but their potential to grow as competitors. Alitza and Jade are ready to improve upon an undefeated record with a level of resolve and tenacity. Arcadia volleyballers shine on international sands Alitza Turley and Jade Smith. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREA SMITH Call 888-216-2469 or visit HaleGroves.com/H6YP19 Mention Code H6YP19 for your savings on Items #483X or #485X. *$7.99 shipping & handling. Satisfaction completely guaranteed. This gift ships in December at the peak of freshness. Order by Dec. 19, 2025 for GUARANTEED Christmas delivery. AZ, CA, TX & LA order by Dec. 12, 2025. 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