Comp wide open
Volleyball Horsham’s A Grade competition has been thrown wide open, following a round of upset results last week.
Shados Inala started the ball rolling, defeating Phantoms easily, taking over second place on the ladder as a result, while Pegasus finished the night in a similar vein, scoring a narrow win over ladder leader Heidelberg.
Those results mean tonight’s games take on more significance as the ladder tightens up.
Phantoms open the night with a clash against Heidelberg.
Phantoms should welcome back big-hitters Ben Wilde and Dimitrios Vettos, while Kara Johnson should assume her setting duties.
When last they met it was Heidelberg that triumphed in four close sets, with Jack Exell the difference between the two teams.
The high-leaping youngster has returned to the sport in devastating fashion, and setter Nathan Berry will look to Exell to hit plenty of winners.
Cleo Baker has been consistent for Phantoms all season. The powerhitting youngster is ever reliable on reception and is brave in defence.
Baker’s passing will be crucial for setter Johnson to use her hitters the best way possible.
In the second game, Aidan O’connor’s Pegasus will be out to make it back-to-back wins when they battle Tim Carter’s Von Steiger Bloods.
When they last met, they played the set of the season – a third 3634 set that lasted more than half an hour, with both teams striving hard to gain the ascendancy.
With both teams having settled their line-ups, another cracking game is on the cards. Pegasus has moved within striking distance of the double chance and will not want to drop this game.
The final game of the night sees Shados Inala take on Volleyroos.
Shados Inala recorded a comfortable win when last they met, so will go in confident of repeating that effort.
Volleyroos should welcome back Jordy Weidemann and have Emily Hannan available to direct traffic in defence and contribute with her excellent passing.
Another beauty is on the cards with both teams playing some good volleyball.
In B Grade, the match of the round sees Von Steiger Shadows up against Parma Army.
Von Steiger Shadows bounced back to form with a solid win last week, with Rohan Sanders and Josh Tan the major contributors.
Both teams will be keen for a win to keep in touch with the double chance.
Von Steiger Boomers will get a good measure of where they stand when they renew acquaintances with Waterhammers.
Last time they met the experienced Waterhammers won in a close game and the old heads will want to retain top spot on the ladder with a win.
In other matches, the all-von Steiger affair between the Gangsters and Barbarians will be interesting, while Heidelberg Masters should have little trouble putting Von Steiger Bloods away.
Spikezone
Volleyball Horsham’s Spikezone program is taking registrations.
Volleyball’s version of Auskick, the program is aimed at eight to 11year-olds and will be on Wednesday evenings at St Brigid’s College stadium, between 4.45pm and 5.45pm, starting tonight.
Participants should register at www.volleyballvictoria.com.au to ensure they receive their Spikezone pack, which includes a backpack, t-shirt, drink bottle and volleyball stickers.