Can you present yourself in one paragraph ? E.g. Some brief information about yourself and your story
My name is Bea Graves, I primarily play beach volleyball doubles. Title IX wasn’t in place when I was in school, but volleyball was introduced in PE class when I was 10; I’ve been hooked on it now for 58 years! I have 10 kids, 10 grandkids, and 1 great grandson – have been married to the same guy for 48 years. I work full time in technology risk management, and also play cello, bass, guitar & accordion in several bands around town.
What attracted you to Volleyball initially ?
One weekend when I was in high school, my older sister brought me to the park with her college friends, and we played volleyball and basketball all weekend. I realized that the parks had facilities, and I could just go hang out and see if anyone would let me play. Somehow I just couldn’t stop going to Encanto park every weeknight and weekend I had free – not sure why, I was just hooked!
What are your career highlights/ favourite moments/ greatest achievement?
Ranked #1 in AZ for 3 years in late 80s, early 90s
Qualified as local team in doubles and 4’s pro tourneys when they came to Phoenix in the early 90s
Earned Arizona AA Men’s rating by winning A tourney with DC Davis in 1991
Won AZ women’s doubles championship at age 42 in 1998
Gold in the 2020 Hawaiian Dino inaugural Women’s 100’s division in 2020, silver in 2024
Gold in the 55’s division of the 2018 PanAsian Masters Games in Penang
Silver in the 2017 World Masters in New Zealand
What has been the key to sustaining your love of playing volleyball for 60 years?
Many girls I know played for their high school, and then played indoor club, and were on scholarship for college. To hear them, it sounded like it was a duty, too much work, and they just got sick of it. Maybe I sustained my love of volleyball because it was never “work” for me and I could never get enough of it when I was young and had other priorities.
What is your advice to anyone considering pursuing masters sport?
Do it:
- You will have an instant group of best friends; friendships will last for years even if you only met them on the court that year
- Go by yourself if you need to, use the partner-finder feature – you won’t be alone!
- The places you go will be memories you keep the rest of your life
How important is playing sport to your health and mental wellbeing ?
Playing volleyball and staying fit is the #1 reason I can still keep up with my senior-level job plus all of my kids/grandkids and all my musical hobby endeavours. It’s also responsible for expanding my group of friends to all ages (locally, I’m the oldest one who plays most of the tournaments). To play is life!
What are you most looking forward to about your next IMGA Masters Games ?
I’m not planning to play in Cleveland this year, it conflicts with a family vacation. But I do look forward to playing in the IMGA masters games in Taipei next year and share a wonderful time again with so many like-minded people !
