For years, she had watched her dad play volleyball. Twelve months ago, she decided to give the sport a try.

Fast-forward to March 2020 and Kaia is heading to her first national comp.

The 15-year-old will represent NSW at the Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships, which will run for a week from March 14 in Coolangatta.

Kaiai will be joined on next week's trip to Queensland by younger brother Adax Brienen and Mangerton teenager Marli Towers.

The trio are all part of the Illawarra Volleyball Association's junior program and their coaches include Jenny Towers.

Towers said all three teens were impressive talents, but Kaia - who stands at 185 centimetres - had shown rapid growth in the sport.

"Adax and Mali started first and then we finally got Kaia involved," she said.

"Her athleticism and definitely her height have proven a benefit for her. Kaia's skills have improved astronomically over the last 12 months since she's started taking it a bit more seriously.

"They're all very talented and have come a long way over the years. Adax and Mali's biggest strengths are their flexibility and agility on the court."

See more: South Coast Blaze launches program to identify top male youth talent

Afterwards, Kaia's busy schedule will continue in April when she flies to Thailand for a Volleyball Australia youth girls' development tour. A strong effort there could lead to competing at the Asian Women's U/17s Volleyball Championships.

However, for now, Kaia remains focused on the Coolangatta national titles.

"I'm excited and nervous, they're both mixed in there This is the biggest event I've ever been to," she said.

"I really just want to get a better understanding of the sport. My [playing] partner and I will use it as a real learning experience, to get more into the sport.

"I'm still pretty new to volleyball. My dad's really into volleyball, he comes down every weekend.

"Because we grew up like that, we eventually got pushed into it but we [Adax and I] absolutely love it. It's a great sport to play, you get to be active and meet lots of like-minded people."

Like his older sister, Adax Brienen grew up watching his dad play beach and indoor volleyball.

The 13-year-old said he first tried the sport about "two of three years ago" after being encouraged by family friends.

Adax also competed at last year's Australian Junior Indoor Volleyball Championships where his NSW side picked up a bronze medal.

In 2020, he gained a spot on the South Coast Combined High Schools team - becoming one of the youngest boys to achieve that milestone.

Adax now has his eyes set on more success at this month's national beach volleyball tournament.

"I just want our team to do well and get a medal. I think we can go for gold," the Woonona teenager said.

"I came down to the beach when my dad was playing volleyball on Saturdays and Sundays, and I started peppering with his friends.

"I love how it's a real competitive sport."

Mali Towers started playing volleyball about four years ago because her mum was involved in coaching and playing the game.

Last year, she represented the NSW under-15s girls team at the national indoor volleyball championships.

She played for the UTS Volleyball Club in 2019 and, like Adax, was selected for the South Coast CHS team.

Mali was also invited to attend to an Australian junior development camp last December and hopes to go again this year.

But, for now, Mali said she looked forward to competing at the beach volleyball national championships.

"It's exciting. Me and my partner really want to win a medal," Mali said.

"Volleyball is really good fun to play."