KENNESAW, Ga. - A summer back home also meant a summer becoming a back-to-back Danish Beach Volleyball National Champion for Kennesaw State junior and outside hitter Manu Johnsen.
Johnsen has returned to the Nest after a 10-week international tour, where she competed in top-tier beach volleyball tournaments as a representative of the Danish National Team with her partner, Sofia Bisgaard.
 
Upon landing in Denmark after the spring semester, Johnsen wasted no time getting to work. Within two hours, Johnsen was already in the sand practicing for their first tournament. The pair had nine days to prepare before they took flight to Turkey for an Olympic qualifying tournament. Their rigorous training regimen included early morning sessions starting at 6:00 a.m. in 45-degree weather and multiple practices each day.

"It was very structured as we stayed at a very nice hotel that was funded by the government," said Johnsen. "It was also very cool to play and be in the same hotel as all the other athletes, which helped us meet some other players and the Olympic teams."

The Danish Beach Volleyball National Championship was a priority for Johnsen and her partner and they passed on other international competitions to make sure they could attend it.

"The Danish Championship was like a mini-Olympics for Denmark, with 42 sports gathered in one town," Johnsen explained. "It was such a cool and unique atmosphere."

Throughout the summer, Johnsen and her partner had the freedom to choose which tournaments they wished to participate in. This flexibility allowed them to balance their competitive goals with their personal preferences. The duo ended up participating in three international competitions and the Danish championship. They also played in numerous events within Denmark. Balancing their game schedule with her partner's academic obligations proved to be a challenge.

"Some of the international tournaments we could have participated in fell within her [Bisgaard] exam period," Johnsen continued. "And other tournaments just didn't align with our schedule, so we only ended up playing three, but I personally felt like that was the right number for us."

Johnsen and Bisgaard enjoyed every moment of their travels as they took every chance to explore the different sceneries and grow relations with other international players.

"Luckily for me, my partner has been playing beach ball professionally for about four years, so she knows a lot of people, which helped us a lot," Johnsen said. "Otherwise, I would have been lost."

Johnsen's time in the sand has proven beneficial to her indoor volleyball performance. She learned that players must rely heavily on their own skills and decision-making, which has enhanced her performance on the court. With only one other teammate in beach volleyball, there is a demand for individual skill and mental toughness.

"The mental game is just tougher in beach volleyball, because there's just two people," she remarked. "There's no one else to pick you up when were in a rut."

Johnsen noticed improvements in her defense and passing since returning to indoor practice. The higher level of serving pressure and the need for aggressive play in beach volleyball provided a fresh perspective on dealing with mistakes. This shift in approach has helped her handle errors with greater resilience and adapt more quickly during indoor matches.

During her time at KSU, Johnsen has earned the respect of her teammates through her dedication and performance on the court. This year, she is determined to build on that foundation and foster a positive team dynamic.

"Leadership isn't always about how long you've been around, but about how you connect with your teammates and earn their trust," she added. "Caroline Chastang, for example, has been with us for only six months, but has already shown those leadership qualities."

Johnsen will be back in action for a two-day road swing at the Mountaineer Classic in Boone, N.C. starting Friday Sept. 6.
 
 
 

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