SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

With more than 12 years experience, ace-blocker Sasha Lee Wallen is hoping to lead the country's quest for a international beach volleyball berth, at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The first step will be the women's beach volleyball Olympic Qualifier and Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championships at the Ocho Rios Bay Beach, in St Ann, from May 1-3.

"Where beach volleyball is concerned, I am fairly new. However I have a lot of potential to grow, my main strength that always carries me through is that I'm recognised as a strong blocker," she said.

Jamaica's two female teams - Danielle Perry and Alicia Malcolm and the duo of Wallen and Kai Wright will be looking to progress.

"I've been awarded best blocker many times, and on the beach so far, I've had more than 10 blocks, which is not normal on the beach circuit," she continued.

Wallen was a scholarship athlete at Wolmer's girls, and went on to play competitively in Poland. Now back home, she dreams of donning black, gold, and green in Rio 2016.

Wallen made the first Under-16 Jamaica team while at Wolmer's. "We went away, and because I did great there, I decided this is what I wanna do professionally. That was when I quit track and field for volleyball," she noted.

She has played indoors professionally and is now determined to make her mark on the beach volleyball circuit.

"It will only get better from here, if we win this (qualifiers) we will go to the second round of the tournament. Having Jamaica in the Olympics is a major goal for volleyball, so we just need everyone behind us to help us achieve that goal, " she said.