Sport
11 November, 2024
Mouth-watering clash to headline Volleyball Horsham annual tournament
Horsham will host its 29th annual tournament from November 16.
Victorian volleyball's dream match will take place in Horsham this weekend when the Premier League's men's champions BBJSC Pakenham and the division one country champions Sunraysia square off in Volleyball Horsham's 29th annual tournament.
Volleyball Horsham vice president Matt McLoughlin says Pakenham and Sunraysia are the headline teams in the premier men's division.
But they won't have it all their own way with five other opponents that represent some of the strongest men's teams in Victorian volleyball in 2024.
"The Pakenham boys have had our tournament on their radar for a while now as they look to make it four in a row," McLoughlin said.
"While Sunraysia are coming off their country championships win and the Bendigo Tournament victory, which is good for our event as we have some of Victoria's best male players."
The biggest threat to the two powerhouse teams will come from our own Good Ol' Boys, who captain Matthew Berry says are coming together nicely for this tournament.
"Sunraysia got us in four sets in Bendigo, but I believe we have a stronger team this time around, so we want to do well in our home tournament," Berry said.
Pakenham and Sunraysia will battle in the round games on Sunday at 10am.
If they are still alive in the tournament, the Good Ol' Boys will battle with Pakenham at 12 noon in a mouth-watering clash in the lead-up to the final.
Ballarat look to defend title
In the Premier women's draw, last year's champions Ballarat are back to defend their title, but they will face stiff opposition from state league powerhouse clubs Heidelberg and Renegades, Latrobe Uni and Adelaide United.
Volleyball Horsham captain Kara Johnson is excited about the prospects of the home team as they strengthen their squad with the return of Emily Hannan and power hitter Cleo Baker.
"We weren't that far away against most of these teams at the Bendigo Tournament last month, so that has set us up well for a real crack this weekend. We're all excited to play in front of our families and friends and hope to do well," Johnson said.
Volleyball Horsham will be represented across all divisions, with the Good Ol' Boys team in State League one men, favoured to do well, especially with Nathan Berry, Zac Santamaria and Lazarus Neilsen in the side.
The Volleyball Horsham junior boys under-17 team will resume acquaintances with Sunraysia in a replay of the gold medal match from the junior country championships but will also face stiff opposition from Heidelberg, while the under-17 girls will go into their division as favourites.
Harry's Match VI
All is ready for the sixth edition of Harry's Match to be played on Friday night from 8pm at the basketball stadium.
This match is held in memory of good friend Harry Denson and serves to shine a light on men's mental health.
The Good Ol' Boys - a group who grew up with Harry will come together and play against a Volleyball Horsham All-Stars team, with the Good Ol' Boys looking to make it five wins from six matches.
Dimitrios Vettos, who has been in charge of getting his Good Ol' Boys group together, is nervous but excited to play in this match that means so much to his group.
"I know the All-Stars are looking stronger this year, but we have the likes of Tim Ladlow, Tim Eldridge, Matt Liston and Andrew Trigg all coming back just for this match, and we know that experience counts for a lot when it comes to playing in big matches," Vettos said.
"The only thing that worries me is that we don't have any true middles, so Brady King and I will need to be at our best to slow down the likes of Oscar Jackman, Tyler Snowden and Jack Hannan."
Captain of the All-Stars, Kara Johnson, says it is an honour to be selected to play in this match each year.
"Our team is a representation of players who have done a lot for Volleyball Horsham this year, and we all are looking forward to the occasion, but we are a bit nervous as we've heard on the grapevine that the Good Ol' Boys might be bringing in a Victorian volleyball legend," Johnson said.
A curtain raiser starting at 6pm featuring the under-17 boys and girls from Central Adelaide Volleyball Club and the Volleyball Horsham under-17s will kick start what promises to be a great night of volleyball.
"Our Central Adelaide visitors are as keen as mustard to be playing in the curtain raiser, in a true Victorian versus South Australian rivalry."
"Harry's Match is the perfect starter for our annual tournament in what always shapes up as a huge weekend for the sport each year."