NSW Volleyball School Cup

Year 10 Boys Division 1 – Term 3 Indoor Championships.

Our most important volleyball competition yet, all the top year 10 teams from NSW playing division 1, competing over the course of two days for gold and a chance to fly to Queensland as the top team from NSW playing at the top division against the best teams in all of Australia. Going back two years to year 8, we were playing in this exact tournament, ignorant of the skill required in the sport. This was our first competition and we were thrown straight into the deep end with no support. It was a poor showing, we came dead last only winning one set on our last day. However, despite our many defeats our morale was still high, the losses only sparking our ambition and determination for growth. Over the next two years we trained, without any coaches we only had ourselves and the guidance of our seniors to rely on.

Our passion burned strong, in term 1 of year 9, we were playing in our second comp. Coming into the first game we were clueless of how far we’ve come, it had been only half a year of training. Nevertheless, the fruits of our labour paid off, we came first! We proved to ourselves that even with less resources than our competitors, with grit and determination nothing was impossible. Our confidence was soon shattered when we decided to push our luck and play in Queensland a few months after. Even though we weren’t playing at the highest division, with a few unfortunate pool games while we were still adapting to the vastly new environment, we were dropped out of the semi finals coming 6th out of the 14 teams. While we lost, we were exposed to an even higher ceiling, the entirety of Australia had such amazing players and that truly fascinated us, a new fire was burning under us, one even greater than before.

Over the course of the next year, we trained continuously, until our most recent competition, the Year 10 two day School Championships, once faced with the same teams that were toying with us two years ago, we realised how far we’ve come, we were now on the same playing field. The first day was a pool phase, we played against many strong teams such as Rooty Hill and Killara High School, both of which had multiple state players. However, we were able to place at the top of our pool without dropping a single set. During the second day we played a few more easy matches, but then we had our semi finals. It was against Ryde Secondary, they had an All Australian player on their team, this game was truly exhilarating. The first set was close ending in a 25-23 victory our way, however during the second Ryde stepped on the engine, when the 50 minute time limit was up it was 22-24 to them, since we were tied on points we had to play a golden point, this one point would decide who would advance to play for a chance at gold.

The serve went over, the 30 seconds that this point took seemed to be 10 times that long, however I was able to kill it, scoring us the final point and bringing us to the grand finals, still yet to drop a single set. We had a 2 hour break before our final game, but even after the two hours our entire team was still sore from the previous gruelling match. It was against Baulkham hills, not the best team, but the fact that they got this far was a testament to their skills. Going into the game we were driven by pure adrenaline, playing perfectly and taking away the first set easily. However, when the second set began, we were tired, our play became sloppy and we lost the second set. This match was untimed, it had long been past 50 minutes, and when the third set started we were barely able to jump, quickly dropping down 8-3 , but a second wind hit us, our hunger for victory overruled our fatigue. The score was 13 all, two more points and the set would finish, all our efforts culminated into our final two points. They missed their serve. 14-13 our way, it was my serve. I got it over, they picked it up but it was sloppy. They were able to put it over, but we were able to convert it into a beautiful point, our middle slammed it down straight into the centre of the court.

It was but a singular point, but to us it was everything. All our efforts over the past two years, resulting in our success. From last to first it was truly an amazing journey. Even though we have no state players on our team we were able to beat not only state, but even national level players. Through ups and downs we were together as a team, thriving, and on the other side we came out victorious. This is not the end but merely the beginning of our story. We are the top ranked in NSW, but there are many teams from all of Australia we have yet to face, challenges we have yet to overcome, but with the same efforts I truly believe in my team, we will be able to persevere and come out better no matter the outcome. Thank you for reading our story. 🙂

Kind regards,

Ethan Luu (Co-Captain of the Year 10 Boys Volleyball Team).

Year 10 Girls Division 2 – Term 3 Indoor Championships.

Serve. Receive. Set. Spike. Every Monday morning training had led up to these moments. The NSW Volleyball Schools Cup was the tournament we had all been looking forward to, and was the only thing pushing us to work harder than ever over the past year. We had counted down the weeks, even the days, until we would finally be back on court, this time with something to prove.

Last year, our girls team entered the competition with bright smiles and ribbons in our ponytails, full of spirit and loud chants that echoed across the courts. As much as we had the most enthusiasm, our team had placed second last – which we weren’t going to let happen again. Since then, our girls team had trained relentlessly, just waiting for this second chance. The early mornings, the jarred fingers, the bruised knees – it was all for this one shot at redemption.

During the first day of the competition, our team played intense games and were fully immersed into each play. The courts buzzed with energy, the sound of whistles, shoes squeaking, and the constant roar of spectators. Every movement was calculated and unexpected for the opposition, leading us to winning most games, placing 2nd at the end of that day. The excitement was unmatched. We were climbing, game by game, set by set, and for once, everyone could feel the momentum was on our side.

However, the real plays were on the final day of the tournament. With every bump and every dive, our team won the semi-finals game, which meant only one game left. The pressure before the finals was intense: sweaty palms, fast heartbeats, last-minute pep talks. The last, finals match. The rallies were intense, and school spirit was certainly through the roof, but at the very least had pierced our ears. We won the first set 25-10, however, after a long and tiring match, the girls team placed 2nd overall.

I’m so, so proud of my girls and I can only imagine what we can do in the future. Volleyball has most certainly brought us together, and even though we faced scary competition, and had to find new strategies to overcome problems in-game, we did it as a team. And for that, I will always be eternally grateful for them. What started as just another school sport has turned into something that’s shaped us. As players, as teammates, and as people.

Sincerely,

Helen Li (Player on the Year 10 Girls Volleyball Team).