The face of Hawaii sand volleyball is freckled, framed by flaming red hair that matches the fiery intensity of her game on the beach. Those who know Brittany Tiegs know this to be true: Her passion for the sport might only be exceeded by her passion to win.
The Florida native has done it collegiately on opposite sides of the country, with All-America honors at Florida State as a freshman and, after having to sit out a transfer year, at Hawaii as a junior last May. Tiegs is seeking to become just the second player in the four-year history of the sport to three-peat as an All-American this week as she and the No. 2 Rainbow Wahine compete at the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala.
"She’s a world-class server, a world-class setter and world class at siding out," SandBows volunteer assistant Danny Alvarez said of Tiegs. "She never thinks she’s going to lose. She has lost but I’ve never seen her panic.
"She was better than advertised when she got here and has been our anchor ever since. She’s won so many big games for us and we’re hoping for one more big tournament from her this week."
What may be more impressive than her 114-22-1 record over three seasons is Tiegs has done it at the No. 1 flight — acknowledged as the best pair a school has — and with four different partners. The senior has teamed with sophomore Nikki Taylor to go 22-7 and, when Taylor sat out with an injury, was 4-2 with Sammie Brown without ever practicing together.
"Beach volleyball is all about adapting to different partners, the other team, the (weather) conditions," the 5-foot-9 Tiegs said. "Nikki and Sammie are different types of players and that means I have to bring something different, maybe block a little more (when paired with the 5-10 Brown instead of the 6-3 Taylor). I’ve learned from everyone."
Her teammates say the same about Tiegs.
"She is so good at what she does," said junior Katie Spieler, who earned All-America honors with Taylor last season at No. 2. I’m going to miss her demeanor on the court and I’m going to miss playing against her. She is such a fierce competitor.
"When you play against people who are really high-level, it brings your level up. Having her on our team has brought everyone’s level up."
But Tiegs, who’ll graduate May 16 with a degree in food science and human nutrition, also knows how to keep it light. She’s known for her various impressions, including Chewbacca from the Star Wars movies.
"She’s really funny," Taylor said. "And she’s been really helpful. This is only my second year (playing sand) and she’s helped me so much."
That Hawaii suited her personality so well helped ease the frustration of sitting out after transferring from Florida State. Originally, the Seminoles said they would release Tiegs from her scholarship agreement — which would allow her to play immediately; they later rescinded the release.
Since Tiegs had played one year of indoor volleyball at Palm Beach (Fla.) State College she didn’t have a redshirt year, leaving her with just two years to play for the SandBows.
"Hawaii is just the chill-est place," Tiegs said. "I will miss the people and how everyone embraces the game here. It was the right decision."
Tiegs hopes to continue her career professionally as well as represent the U.S. internationally. She teamed with former FSU teammate Jace Pardon last summer to win gold at the World University Beach Volleyball Championships in Portugal.
It’s too late to try to qualify for the 2016 Olympics but 2020 is a possibility. She’s had sponsorship inquiries and is looking to play in the National Volleyball League, a pro beach circuit founded by former Rainbow Warrior Al-B Hannemann.
"It’s a sad close to a chapter for UH sand volleyball," Hawaii head coach Jeff Hall said. "We’ll miss her tremendously but we’ll be proud of her accomplishments after this weekend as she represents Hawaii sand volleyball in the future.
"We’ll be very happy to see her finish off her senior year possibly culminating in a big win in the team or pairs championships. And we’ll be very proud to see her walk across the stage at graduation. That’s what it’s all about."
Note: Tiegs’ former FSU partner Aurora Newgard Davis is the only three-time AVCA sand All-American. Joining Tiegs in a quest for a third are Pardon from FSU and Pepperdine’s Lara Dykstra.
UPCLOSE / BRITTANY TIEGS
>> Class: Senior
>> Height: 5-9
>> Hometown: Stuart, Fla.
>> Awards: Gold medalist, 2014 World University Beach Volleyball Championship, with Jace Pardon; AVCA All-American, 2014 (Hawaii), 2012 (Florida State); Silver medalist, 2014 AVCA Collegiate Sand Pairs Championship 38-6 with Karissa Cook; Bronze medalist, 2012 AVCA Collegiate Sand Pairs Championship 50-7-1 with Aurora Newgard
