New-look line-ups
An A Grade grand final rematch is the standout game in round two of Volleyball Horsham’s winter season tonight.
Heidelberg and Hellenic Nuggets will square off, with both teams coming off firstround victories.
Aside from a second-set hiccup where they went down 24-26, Heidelberg could not have been more impressive in its win over Rangers; while Hellenic Nuggets impressed with a straight-set win against Phantoms.
With both teams sporting new-look lineups, one could be forgiven for thinking it would take a few weeks to get used to playing with each other. Full credit to both captains – Nathan Berry, Heidelberg, and Dimitrios Vettos, Nuggets – for setting the standard.
The second game sees Phantoms take on Tsunami. Tom Roberts and Clay Heard will have to contribute plenty of winners for Phantoms to win; while Tsunami will hope Caleb Smith dominates the middle off good supply from Jack Hannan.
In A Reserve, all eyes will be on the Academy boys as they play their first game in this grade. They are up against Mark Block’s Blockparty team, who will be keen to bounce back after dropping its round one game.
The Academy boys will look to Sebastian Maggs and Malachy O’brien to contribute plenty of winners off Heath Warrick’s sets. But they will have to watch Block as he moves Maddie Mcqueen into setting, freeing Block up to do what he does best – hit big.
The second game sees Von Steiger Shadows take on last week’s big winners, Blockbusters.
Tom Milbourne and Sam Peachey returned with a vengeance in their upset win against Waterhammers and were ably supported by Casey Quick and Dante Stotten.
The final game sees Heidelberg take on Waterhammers, with the battles between these two perennial favorites always close.
Paul Drendel is in good form for Heidelberg and will be called upon to hit plenty of winners if the side is to remain undefeated. But Chris Baker and Michael Schneider will be keen to bounce back from last week’s loss, so another close encounter is on the cards.
In the women’s competition, Clare Whyte’s Nuggets were the big winners from round one and will look to continue their good form when they take on Rangers.
Nuggets should be strengthened by the return of Teash Yates and Kirah Smith; but so, too, will Rangers, who have the experienced trio of Tamikah Dockrill, Sarah Allan and Maddison Watts as possible inclusions.
Both teams unearthed some players to watch, with Nuggets introducing Michaela Wright for her first game while Rangers debuted Bacara Arnott and Mia Panozzo.
The second game sees Molly Hobbs’ Heidelberg take on Academy Team Barnett and the final game has Volleyroos against Academy Team Turner.
Hobbs had Brodie Jenkins and Lydia Schneider play well in their first games last week, while Team Barnett were well served by Sophie Quick and Kylie Angue.
Chloe Mackley and Lily Snowden played well for Volleyroos. Team Turner has Paige Hemley and Grace Turner in good touch.