Overview:
Team Palau is off to a strong start at the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships in Guam. The Palau women have won their first two matches, while the men picked up their first victory Wednesday. Both teams face host Guam on Friday.
By: L.N. Reklai
GUAM — Palau’s men’s and women’s national volleyball teams are off to a strong start at the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships, with the women’s team winning both of its opening matches and the men’s team securing its first victory Wednesday.
Palau’s women defeated the Cook Islands 3-0 on Wednesday, Aug. 5, following a 3-1 victory over the Republic of the Marshall Islands a day earlier.
The back-to-back wins give the Palau women a 2-0 record heading into their next match against host Guam on Friday at 8 p.m. Guam time, or 7 p.m. Palau time.
The women opened the tournament Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over the Marshall Islands before returning Wednesday for a convincing 3-0 win over the Cook Islands.
The Palau men also picked up their first victory Wednesday, defeating American Samoa 3-1.
It was the men’s second match of the tournament after they opened their campaign earlier in the competition.
The Palau men will face Guam on Friday at 6 p.m. Guam time, or 5 p.m. Palau time.
The Palau teams have also received strong support from the Palauan community in Guam, with supporters turning out to cheer for the athletes and contributing donations to the teams.
Team Palau expressed its appreciation to the Palauan community in Guam for its “incredible support, cheers, and generous donations” throughout the tournament.
The 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships opened Aug. 3 at the University of Guam Calvo’s Field House and continue through Aug. 9.
The tournament brings together men’s and women’s national teams from across Oceania for a week of international competition.
The championship opened with a celebration at the Tumon Night Market, featuring traditional Chamoru culture and welcoming participating teams from across the region.
This year’s championship marks a significant milestone for the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association, as the tournament is the first OZVA championship to award official world ranking points.
It is also the first major international volleyball event held in Guam since the 1999 Pacific Games.
With both Palau teams continuing their campaigns Friday, the squads will look to build on their winning performances as they take on Guam.