VOLLEYBALL students pulled off the double when they took national honours in the U18 national cup finals.

Both the male and female Wessex teams, made up of students from across Dorset and Hampshire, were crowned champions at the competition held in Kettering.

The boys were delighted to beat arch-rivals Boswells from Essex 3-0 in the final, after losing out to them twice in the last three years.

And the girls took on Devon’s Beach Academy, winning by three sets to one.

One of the schools involved was the LeAF Academy, where Executive Principal Gill Blanshard, said: “We are delighted and proud that students from LeAF Studio are national volleyball champions.

“They are an incredibly talented bunch, with some of them already playing at international level for England.I am sure there are more successes ahead of them.”

Both teams have benefitted from top level coaching from LeAF Studio head of volleyball and former New Zealand beach volleyball player Kirk Pitman.

Kirk, who has also coached the England beach volleyball team, said: “It has been an honour to coach such talented young athletes.

“Their dedication and commitment, along with the support from their parents, the school and other coaches, has made this achievement possible.

“What a fantastic way of finishing their junior careers - on a high note.”

LeAF Studio is part of the LeAF Academy and is for elite athletes and performers aged 13-19.

Talented students receive coaching from national sports stars and performers, alongside their academic teachings and the campus, at Duck Lane in Kinson, is home to the only indoor beach volleyball training centre in the country.

Both Team GB and Volleyball England players train there.