Premiers flying
Reigning premier Heidelberg has jumped out of the blocks with two strong showings to kick-start Volleyball Horsham’s winter season.
But the team in black and white did not have it all its own way against a tenacious Nuggets in round two, having to dig deep to record a 2-1 victory.
With the game tied at a set all, the brilliance of setter Nathan Berry and the power hitting of Jordy Weidemann was the difference between the two teams, as Nuggets setter Kara Johnson did everything to get her team over the line in a highly entertaining contest.
Tyler Snowden and Tom Roberts came to the fore with strong service pressure to bust the final set wide open, as Nuggets went toe to toe for the first half of the set.
Hellenic Phantoms recorded their first win of the season, defeating Tsunami in four sets.
It was all Tsunami in the first set as it opened a three-point lead, but up stepped Molly Hobbs who went on a six-point serving spree to turn the set on its head.
Tsunami bounced back to take the third set, before Hellenic Phantoms flexed their muscles and overpowered their opponents to comfortably win the fourth set and the match.
Aidan O’connor and Dimitrios Vettos received the nod of the referees for their contribution to the win, while Shaun Bray tried hard for the vanquished.
Shados Inala bounced back into winning form with a hard-fought win over an improving Rangers.
It was all Tim Popple’s team in the first set as it steamrolled its opponents with power hitting from Will Saligari and pressure serves.
But to the credit of the Rangers, they returned fire in the second with Ash Francis serving his team into an early four-point lead, before Popple went on a nine-point run, erasing the deficit and opening a lead Rangers could not get back.
At 2-0 up it could have been a whitewash, but Rangers dug deeply, with James Davidson getting his team the ascendancy in the third set, then Laelah Robertson edging her team close to winning.
The teams traded rallies, with Rangers having four set points but not being able to seal the deal, with Shados Inala eventually winning an entertaining game in three sets.
Match of the round
The match of the round this week sees Nuggets up against Hellenic Phantoms as both teams look to stay ahead of the win-loss ledger.
How well Nuggets pass-hitter Cleo Baker and opposite Tyler Puls play their roles will be crucial to the outcome of the match.
Lloyd Baker’s work in the middle, both in defence and on transition attack, will help his team.
Hellenic Phantoms will hope injured setter Tim Carter returns, so he can weave his magic with his power hitters Vettos and O’connor, if the Phantoms are to continue with their winning ways.