By David Berry

Volleyball Horsham’s women’s team has finished the year on the best possible note by taking out the premier division title at the 29th annual Horsham Tournament.

The straight-sets win over last year’s winner Ballarat was built on the back of a whole-team effort, where all eight players contributed to the victory.

Team captain Kara Johnson was full of praise for her team and the way it played.

“We had to dig deep to even make the final, as we had to win our final game against Latrobe Uni. When we lost the first set things weren’t looking all that flash, but the girls didn’t panic, which was the most pleasing thing. On the back of great defensive efforts we were able to turn the tide and eventually win,” she said.

“In the final we were able to exploit Ballarat’s lack of blocking strength, vary our attack and hit with confidence, which worked well for us.”

The victory comes at a time of transition for the team as it introduces new players and others playing differing roles.

“We’ve given youngsters like Sophie Quick, Paige Hemley and Ilze Van Zyl opportunities this year and they have fitted in really well,” Johnson said.

“Molly Carter has taken over the middle blocking role as Eadie Garth-Lindsay prepares for motherhood, and Molly has taken to the role like a duck to water, which is great for the team.

“Bringing Sophie in as a libero now takes the pressure off both Molly and Tamikah Dockrill, as they get to rest during sets, making them more effective when they return to the frontline each libero change.

“Paige can play as a pass-hitter, middle or opposite adding more flexibility to the team should someone be having a bad day, while the return of the experienced Emily Hannan was a bonus for us.”

Four in a row

Victoria’s premier men’s team BBJSC Pakenham made it four premier titles in a row with a four-set win over Sunraysia.

The tournament’s dream match-up between the state league champions and the country champions did not disappoint, although in Sunraysia’s case it had a most nervous wait to make the final.

After winning the first set against their metro counterparts in a round game, it looked like they were set for a final for the ages, but BBJSC Pakenham fought back to take the match and move to a clear lead on the premiership table.

Sunraysia captain Kade Zrna said the team had to wait for the final game between Majha SC and Melbourne PSC, with both teams in contention to take the second spot in the final.

“With Majha winning the first two sets, calculators went into overdrive in the Sunraysia camp trying to work out what was needed to hold onto second spot,” he said.

“In the end they needed Melbourne to take 11 points off Majha in the third set to hold on and when they hit that milestone, with only three points left in the match, the cheering from my team was heard across the stadium, or maybe it was more a huge sigh of relief.”

In the final, Pakenham got off to a good start on the back of its power hitting, something the Sunraysia defenses could not counter.

Sunraysia lost the first two sets 22-20 and 21-16, which resulted in a change of line-up for the team.

The big-hitting Dylan Lucchesi switched to opposite and into the game came Tommy Hermans to pass hitting, which bought a better balance between defense and attack for the Sunraysia team.

The third set went point for point until about seven-all, before Zrna hit a purple patch on serve, winning five points in a row as the Pakenham receivers struggled with the youngster’s off-speed serving.

Then Scott Johnson showed why he is one of the premier players in the state, blasting four jump serves at a pace that the Pakenham receivers hardly saw, let alone got a hand on.

With Sunraysia back in the game, the fourth set lifted in intensity and standard as Kanwar Pal Singh and tournament most valuable player Manjot Singh got to work, blasting the Sunraysia defenses off the court, with many of their power hits rebounding off Sunraysia players into the roof.

Zrna said his team had no answers as the two Vipers players displayed their talent.

“They were just too powerful for us in that fourth set and blew us away. Their setter Pawandeep found them at the right time every time,” he said.

“I think the Horsham council structural engineers will need to inspect court one as the floorboards may need some repairs after being pounded into submission by the Pakenham hitters.”

Harry’s match

The Volleyball Horsham All Stars took the honors over the Good Ol’ Boys in Harry’s Match VI, winning 17-15 in the deciding set.

In front of an appreciative crowd that contributed to raising funds for Beyond Blue, the All Stars wore down their ageing opponents amidst scenes of euphoria.

Good Ol’ Boys captain Dimitrios Vettos paid tribute to the All Stars for their fighting win.

“Those youngsters have improved out of sight in the past 12 months and full credit to them,” he said.

“We gave it our best shot, but the important thing is we paid tribute to a great mate in a match we will continue to support for such a great cause.”

Vettos said a goal of $10,000 was the target.

“A silent auction of Harry’s Match All Star tops raised close to $1000, with bids coming from all over the state,” he said.

“Together with donations on the page and taken throughout the weekend we have nearly hit our goal, which we can’t thank the volleyball community enough.”

Big weekend

Volleyball Horsham vice-president Matt McLoughlin said the new format of compulsory three sets played to 21 points with a two-point advantage proved to be a winner and one that, with a few more minor tweaks, could prove to be even more accepted by the participants.

“The important thing at these types of events is to get a result without leaving anything to chance, and this is what the Horsham tournament prides itself on,” he said.

“Too many other tournaments have timed matches and contradictory playing conditions that more often than not leave teams unlucky to miss a win, least of all a final. We don’t, and we will continue to promote ourselves as innovative in the application of playing conditions so more teams will want to come to Horsham, even though we are restricted with court space.

“We want our players to get as much exposure as possible against good quality opposition, as this will only help them with their development.”

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