Volleyball season up and running

If the buzz is anywhere near what players provided on Monday night in Volleyball Horsham C and junior grades, then their A and B grade counterparts are in for an exciting and enjoyable return to the court tonight.

Eight matches produced plenty of enthusiasm, but it was the laughter and interaction between team-mates that stood out, as volleyball returned for the first time since March 11 last year.

Now it is the turn of A and B grade participants to channel that enthusiasm and enjoyment with the opening A Grade match the highlight in round one, where Nathan Berry’s Heidelberg takes on Jon Fitzgerald’s Von Steiger Bloods.

It will come down to who has best prepared. For the Heidelberg team the likes of Berry, Tamikah Dockrill and Laelah Robertson have all been training since the start of term and gained great benefit from the extra sessions they had with Phantoms trials.

On the other hand, none of Fitzgerald’s Von Steiger team-mates have touched a ball since last year, which will ultimately make the difference.

Berry and key middle blocker Paddy Sherry have developed into a formidable combination over the years, with Berry’s ability to get the quick attack to Sherry their strongest point.

Much will rest on the passing ability of Robertson

to ensure Berry has the right ball to set to Sherry.

But Fitzgerald’s Von Steigers have at their strength the defensive ability of the Davidson duo Ash and James. Invariably they get to the right spots and continually frustrate opponents out of the rally.

Heidelberg’s attack versus Von Steiger Bloods’ defence. Whose strength will come out on top?

In other matches, Shados Inala, with Tim Popple at the helm, should be too good for Aidan O’connor’s Pegasus outfit, while Phantoms and Volleyroos will have a close match with all eyes on the return of former A Grade MVP Dimitrios Vettos for Phantoms.

In B Grade, the opening match sees an all-von Steiger affair with the young Boomers taking on the teacher’s team in the Shadows.

Staff-versus-students matches are always fun to watch, and in this case the Milbourne boys, Tom and Josh, will be the keys to the Boomers’ chances.

For the Shadows, there will be great interest in new players Josh Tan and Asgar Shah and how well they assimilate in their new team.

In other matches, perennial favorites Waterhammers should be too strong for the new-look Von Steiger Bloods, Parma Army will fight out a close match with the Von Steiger Gangsters, while the old Masters, who now have changed their title to Heidelberg Masters, will have their hands full with the Von Steiger Barbarians.