New Zealand wrapped up the beach volleyball series against India with a dominant women’s display at Mount Maunganui, securing a 5-3 overall victory in the four-day transtasman contest.

The series formed part of the 100 Years of Unity Through Sport celebrations between New Zealand and India and featured matches at North Harbour and Mount Maunganui.

Touring professional Olivia MacDonald was the standout performer, posting a perfect record across the series, a statement on behalf of the event said.

After winning her first two matches alongside Lani Rawle at North Harbour, MacDonald teamed up with Meile Rose-Green for the final two days and completed a clean sweep of four straight victories without dropping a set.

In the women’s match at Mount Maunganui, MacDonald and Rose-Green proved too strong for India’s Pavithra Sudalaikasi and Deepika Kandasamy, cruising to a 21-8, 21-9 victory in front of a large crowd.

The New Zealand pair were sharp in all areas of their game, executing their game plan with precision, limiting errors and consistently keeping their opponents under pressure.

The men’s contest was more closely fought, with New Zealand’s emerging combination of Noah Smith and Cruize Satiu falling just short against India’s experienced pairing of Barath Somu and Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy.

Smith, 21, and Satiu, still only 17 and at high school, showed composure against their more seasoned opponents. They pushed India throughout the opening set before narrowly losing 21-19.

The young Kiwis briefly looked capable of forcing a deciding third set when they opened a 7-2 lead in the second. However, Somu’s defensive work from the back court and Vinayagamoorthy’s dominance at the net helped India fight back and take the set 21-17, securing their third win of the series.

The Indian pair’s only defeat came on the opening day when they were beaten by New Zealand duo Juraj Krajci and Kyson Norton.

Results

New Zealand Men (Noah Smith/Cruize Satiu) lost to India (Barath Somu/Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy) 19-21, 17-21.

New Zealand Women (Olivia MacDonald/Meile Rose-Green) beat India (Pavithra Sudalaikasi/Deepika Kandasamy) 21-8, 21-9.