In the vibrant heart of Puebla, Mexico, the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships have ignited, not just with competitive fervor, but with a uniquely Mexican brand of passion. At the epicenter of this excitement stand Ines Antonio Vargas Lares and Carlos Andres Ayala Herrera, two young athletes who have swiftly become the nation`s darlings, proving that local heroes can indeed dream on a global scale.
The air in Cholula crackled with anticipation as these rising stars, known simply as Lares & Carlos Andres, took to the sand. From the moment they arrive at the venue, their presence electrifies the crowd, a testament to their growing status. But it was their decisive 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) victory over Belgium’s Casper Willems & Alexy Humblet in their opening main draw match that truly unleashed a wave of euphoria. One might have thought they`d just secured the final point of the championship, such was the outpouring of joy – an encouraging start, to say the least.
The Maestro and His Muses
Behind every promising talent often stands a seasoned mentor, and for Lares & Carlos Andres, that figure is none other than Brazilian beach volleyball legend Ricardo Santos. A four-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist, and an Athens 2004 champion, Santos brings a pedigree to the sidelines that few can match. His presence isn`t merely symbolic; it’s a living textbook of experience and strategy. Having a coach of such caliber certainly adds a layer of pressure, a kind of unspoken expectation, but it also provides an unparalleled foundation for growth.
“We are feeling really good. The level is very high here in Mexico and we appreciate that,” Carlos Andres remarked, acknowledging the challenge while savoring the moment. Lares echoed the sentiment: “The feeling is great! We are at home, in front of these great fans, and we managed to show what we can do. But this was only the first step and we are already looking forward to our next game now.”
A Trajectory of Triumph
This isn`t their first rodeo. Last year, the duo narrowly missed a medal at the U19 World Championship in China, securing a highly respectable fourth place. Since then, their ascent has been steady. They`ve become regulars on the NORCECA Tour, collecting an impressive four continental medals, including a gold. Just a few weeks prior to Puebla, they turned heads at the Veracruz Challenge on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. Starting from the qualifications, they navigated their way to the eighthfinals, upsetting formidable opponents along the way – a clear indicator of their ability to compete at a higher, senior level.
“With the results in Veracruz we gained more confidence,” Carlos Andres explained. “Maybe that’s the thing about it – we feel better. With every game we feel more confidence and that’s very important.” This pragmatic approach to leveraging past successes for future confidence is a hallmark of truly ambitious athletes.
Coach Santos himself notes their rapid development. “They played very well there and made the main draw for the first time and I am so happy that they got to experience a new level of the game,” he said. “Now I can see that, step by step, the team is getting better. They showed it in today’s game and that’s the most important thing – to keep playing better and better.”
The Long View: From Puebla to Los Angeles
For Lares and Carlos Andres, the U21 World Championships are more than just a battle for a junior title; they are a crucial stepping stone. Ricardo Santos emphasizes that this tournament offers invaluable experience, particularly the unique pressure of performing on home soil. “Playing at home, in front of family and friends, adds a lot to the pressure and that experience helps a lot towards the next competitions,” he stated, hinting at larger aspirations like the Pan American Games and, ultimately, the Olympic Games.
The young athletes are acutely aware of the privilege of being coached by a legend. “Aside from the technical and the tactical matters, Ricardo shares with us his experience as a player and everything he is sharing with us – we are absorbing it and we are planning to apply it the same way as he did or even better,” Lares articulated, displaying a commendable blend of respect and ambition.
Their inspirations extend beyond their coach. Carlos Andres looks to current titans Anders Mol & Christian Sorum, while both admire Santos`s playing legacy. Their vision is clear and concise: “First of all, we are eager to win this tournament. This is our main goal for now. Afterwards, we will focus on senior events only and our long-term objective is Los Angeles 2028,” Lares concluded, leaving no doubt about the ultimate destination on their athletic map.
The Roar of the Crowd: Mexico`s Unseen Player
The home crowd in Puebla is arguably their most potent, albeit unofficial, team member. The sheer volume of support, the chants, the collective breath held during tense rallies – it all translates into an unmatched surge of energy. This symbiotic relationship between players and fans creates an atmosphere where every spike feels more powerful, every block more impenetrable. It`s a reminder that sports, at their heart, are about shared human experience, about collective dreams finding expression on a patch of sand.
As Lares & Carlos Andres prepare for their next challenges against formidable teams from Thailand and Canada, the entire nation of Mexico watches with bated breath. Their journey is a narrative of talent meeting opportunity, of youthful ambition guided by seasoned wisdom, and of a passionate populace willing their heroes to the pinnacle of success. Whether they clinch the U21 title or not, one thing is certain: Lares and Carlos Andres are not just playing for medals; they are laying the groundwork for a golden era of Mexican beach volleyball, with the promise of more unforgettable moments on the horizon.
