The 20-year-old Berwick resident is a key member of Volleyball Team Australia's squad touring Dubai this month.

The national team will take part in the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Invitational starting tomorrow.

The tournament features 10 teams, including powerhouse nations Italy and Cuba.

''It's going to be a tough event,'' Watt said. ''It will certainly hold us in good stead for our national competition.''

The team's youngest player, Watt casts an imposing 187-centimetre shadow as a middle blocker.

Her main tasks are to perform fast attacks on the opposition court and defend their advances.

Watt's meteoric rise followed an invitation to train and play with the Victorian under-16 squad.

''I'd never played before so it was a lucky break. A teacher of mine (at Berwick Secondary College) was the Victorian team's coach.

''I wasn't too bad and was picked as a prospect because of my height.''

After such a short career, Watt is focused on representing Australia at London's 2012 Olympic Games.

In beach volleyball's Crocs Tour Australia, Watt was crowned rookie of the year.

''I'm really happy, especially as I had never played beach before.''

Beach volleyball experienced a tremendous boost in Australia following Natalie Cook's and Kerri Pottharst's gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Watt also looks towards her idol, mentor and Olympian Tamsin Barnett for inspiration.

Barnett made her Olympic debut as an indoor player before turning to beach volleyball after experiencing some injury problems. In August she will become a dual Olympian, partnering Sydney gold medallist Natalie Cook.

''Tamsin is terrific,'' Watt said.

''We're actually really good friends and it's amazing how she keeps the younger girls focused.''

Watt is a current member of the University Blues volleyball team and hopes to finalise agreements with top level German side the Fighting Kangaroos.

``The sport is massive over there - players, sponsors the whole lot, they are like superstars,'' she says.

``Playing for the Kangaroos will be a bit of a buzz too.''

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