By David Berry

After a successful day out at Ballarat, Phantoms premier men’s and women’s teams are on the precipice of an historic Victorian Volleyball League finals’ appearance.

All four teams recorded important victories and with only two weeks left to play, all teams, with a little bit of luck, could figure in finals for the first time in club history.

The premier one men’s team set the tone when it wiped the floor with VIP Irizar in 50 minutes, followed by a club first win against premier league powerhouse Monash to secure second spot on the ladder. And, with one more game remaining, against Melbourne Uni Renegades, if results go their way it could be for top spot on the ladder.

The premier one women’s team beat Monash, which moved them up the ladder to fifth place, and with games against eighth-placed Maroondah Cobras and 11th-placed Mazenod left in the season, a finals position is there for the taking.

The premier two men’s team recorded a four- set win against Heidelberg, which took them to fifth on the ladder. The team has two games remaining, against fourth-placed Maroondah Cobras and third-placed Melbourne Uni Renegades, which according to coach Matthew Berry will define their season.

“At this time of the year you want to be playing against tough opposition, because if you win it sets you up perfectly for a crack at finals. Conversely, if you lose you know you aren’t good enough and you set your sights on pre-season,” he said.

The premier two women are in pretty much the same boat, sitting eighth but with winnable games against seventh-placed Dandenong and 12th-placed Mornington to secure their place in the finals.

To be in this position is a win for this team, which went through a tough season last year.

Of the three state league teams, the state league one men’s team is best placed, sitting ninth with a seven and five win-loss record. 

It has games against Maroondah Cobras, who are sitting 15th, and should win, and Melbourne Uni Renegades Blue, who it lost to in five sets earlier this year, in its final game in Bendigo.

The young state league two men’s and women’s teams are sitting mid-table in their divisions and would be playing for pride in the final two weeks of the season.

Volleyball Horsham has 14 members playing in state league this season, with experienced players Matthew Berry, Cam Robinson, Nick Adamson, Jack Hannan, Tyler Snowden, Tim Carter, Tamikah Dockrill, Mercedes Arnott and Tyler Puls all bringing plenty back to the association and passing on their experiences to younger players.

Youngsters including Jack Snowden, Oscar Jackman, Noah Werry, Ella Van Duren and Paige Hemley have all benefitted from playing regular, tough volleyball.

Entries being taken

Entries for the upcoming winter season are being taken, with teams and individuals invited to participate. 

Competition will resume on Wednesday, July 31 and Monday, August 5, with entries required by July 26. 

Visit the Volleyball Horsham website for the registration link, with enquiries to info@volleyballhorsham.com.au.

The entire July 10, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!