Phantoms teams make state finals

Astraight-sets exit from finals last year is motivation for Phantoms men’s teams playing in Victorian Volleyball League finals on Saturday.

Phantoms reserves and division-two men’s and division-three women’s teams have qualified for finals at the State Volleyball Centre on Saturday.

Nathan Berry, Jack Hannan and possibly Cam Robinson will play for the reserves, while Tim Popple and Will Saligari are key players for the division-two team.

Jade Saligari is in a squad of 15 for the women’s division-three team.

Robinson is in a race against time with league officials over a qualification dispute.

The power hitter has played seven premier and seven reserves games. Club officials are seeking a bylaw clarification to enable Robinson to play reserves finals.

In the only meeting between the two teams this season back in June in the reserves, Monash Uni Two defeated Phantoms comfortably in three sets.

But number-one setter Berry is taking no notice of previous form.

“We had a really positive training session during the break, and we’re determined to go deep into the finals this year,” he said.

A win on Saturday will see the team having to front up again in the afternoon to play the

winner of the Renegades versus Eastside Hawks elimination final.

“We know that is a tough ask, especially in finals, but it is nothing we’re not used to – having to play two games in one day,” Berry said.

In the men’s division-two grade, Phantoms dropped its last two games to tumble from the top of the ladder to fourth, losing the double chance. It now faces a cut-throat elimination final against Eastside Hawks.

In their only meeting for the season, Eastside defeated Phantoms in four sets, but coach Popple is not reading too much into the result.

“Like the reserves boys we also had a positive training session during the break and sorted out some defensive strategies we needed just to top off our game style,” he said.

“We’ll be ready for Eastside on Saturday and I’m confident the team will do well.”

A win will lead to a semi-final clash with either Monash Uni One or International later in the afternoon.

The division-three girls have been playing good, consistent volleyball and square-off against Monash One, which they beat in five sets the only time they met this season.

Saligari will be hoping to make the final team, but with 15 players in the squad and only 12 getting the chance to play it will be tough for the Murtoa College youngster.