Phantoms make volleyball history
Phantoms Volleyball Club history occurred during round three of Victorian Volleyball League when seven teams competed on the one day.
The club has grown significantly from humble beginnings in 2011 when one team competed in state league division two, taking the premiership on the back of an undefeated season.
In 2012, one team grew to three with the first female team competing, the division two team was promoted to reserves and a second men’s team was born. All three made the grand final only to come away empty handed.
In 2013, three grew to five and the first premier men’s team was admitted, giving the club teams in premier, reserves and division two men and reserves and division two women.
In 2015, the division two women won the premiership coming from fourth on the ladder. The competition has been growing with the advent of division three and in 2017 the club has teams in men’s premier, reserves, division two and three while the girls are represented in reserves, division two and three.
What this all means is that volleyballers from across western Victoria are getting the opportunity to play in the highest level of competition their ability allows for, at the same time helping with their development, so as they improve they have the chance to step up in division. Volleyball Horsham has continually encouraged members to play state league. In 2017, the association has 16 past and present members playing for Phantoms.
In round three, the premier men pushed competition favorites Renegades all the way before going down in four sets. The reserves men made short work of Heidelberg, winning in straight sets. The division two men had a good win over Monash in four sets while the division three boys were beaten by Dandenong. On the girls side, the reserves beat Renegades in straight sets, the division two girls had a tough day at the office, losing to Mckinnon in five sets and Mornington in four sets respectively while the division three girls welcomed Kara Johnson back from injury in a four-set loss to Yarra.
All teams have a break this weekend before heading to Bendigo for round four on April 22.