Finals on line

The equation is simple for Volleyball Horsham Phantoms premier and reserves men this weekend when they take on Yarra in the final round of State League – two wins are needed to have a chance at playing finals.

The premier men made it hard for themselves with a five-set loss to Monash last round after being two sets to love up.

They now face off against Yarra, which is below them on the ladder, with two straightset wins the minimum requirement to play finals.

Premier representative Nathan Berry said the side knew exactly what it had to do to play finals.

“So that should be incentive enough for our boys to play well,” he said.

“We have had our chances throughout the season and have played some really good volleyball, but we just have not been able to get over the line. Hopefully we can this week.”

The equation is similar for the reserves men’s team, but not as cut-throat. Sitting seventh equal on points with Yarra, and looking to get sixth spot, two wins is all the team needs.

Team member Jack Hannan said Yarra got the win against Heidelberg on the weekend to edge ahead of his side.

“But we know destiny is in our own hands,” he said.

“We just have to bring our best, which we know is good enough at times, but being consistent is our worry.”

Tim Popples men’s division-two team is sitting comfortably in the top two and will relish the opportunity to push for top spot.

“We have two games against Yarra, who have no chance of making the finals, then we head into finals with a full head of steam,” he said.

Shaun Bray’s men’s division-three team received a bonus when Dandenong forfeited its game this week, which entrenched his team in the top two.

“We can put all our energies into tackling Mazenod and the possibility of finishing on top, which will give our young team confidence going into finals,” he said. On the women’s side, the Phantoms premier girls, coached by David Berry, have slipped out of the top four for the first time all year.

“Two games against Yarra will be a stern test for the team, which has struggled against the top teams in the past month,” he said.

“While it would be confidence boosting for the girls to beat Yarra, the side knows where it stands in relation to the top teams in this division, and Yarra is a top team.

“But we still have two games next week against teams below us on the ladder to get back into finals contention, so all won’t be lost if we don’t win.

“I’m looking more at how the girls go about it rather than the result. If we can play at a level that pushes Yarra, at least that will give us a chance next week and that’s where my focus lies.”

All Phantoms teams will be in action this weekend in Bendigo, with matches starting at 10am. The next season of Volleyball Horsham starts on July 30.