Melbourne University Sport

Blues Volleyballers sweep the boards
04/07/07
By Thomas Nickson

The Uni Blues have become the first team in 2007 to sweep a round of the Australian Volleyball League Women’s Series, recording four straight victories in round two at Morphetville, South Australia’s Marion Leisure Centre, at the weekend. Following a fourth place in last year’s competition, the fledgling club, an amalgamation of the Monash and Melbourne University Women’s Volleyball teams, has become a dominant force in 2007 competition.

Friday match-up against UTS/Sydney University saw the Blues bounce-back from their round one defeat at the hands of the same opponents. Despite dropping the first set 18-25, Blues fought back to claim the second and third sets (25-17 and 25-14 respectively), as the team’s big hitter’s Rebecca Walters and Tarsha Praski made their presence felt. In a tightly contested fourth and ultimately final set, both teams found their A-game in defence, as closing out points became increasingly challenging for both sides. Trailing 18-22 deep in the fourth set, tough serving from Blues’ captain Shannon Campbell, and the continued form of Tarsha Praski and Rhiannon Watt, helped tie the game at 22 all. Before the Blues went on to close out the set and match 25-23.

On the Saturday, the Blues again were slow starters in the second match-up against the Adelaide Rangers, conceding the opening set 22-25. Despite several errors early in the, Uni fumbled through the second set 25-22 to tie the match at one set all. With momentum building the Blues powered through the final two sets 25-15, 25-19, to win in four sets.

Backing up less than three hours later, the Blues remedied their slow starts of previous matches, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage over JMS Queensland. Despite the Queenslanders recovering to take the lead 14-12 midway through the first set, the Blues again found their rhythm. The introduction of Mary Dempster as a burst player late in the first set, saw her reel off the final four points on her service, as the Blues claimed the set 25-18. The final two sets followed in similar fashion as the Blues were convincing straight set winners 25-18, 25-17, 25-13.

In the team’s final fixture on Sunday against Western Australia, the Blues leaped from the blocks, racing through the first set 25-10, through service precision and pressure. Western Australia, stole the second set, recovering from 14-19 down, closing it out 27-25. With plenty of life in the game, the Blues, however, had all the answers, claiming the final two sets 25-17 and 25-22 to emerge victorious.

The Blues now sit top of the AVL table, two points clear of New South Wales adversaries UTS/Sydney University in second place. Women’s series actions recommences on July 27th, as the Uni Blues play host to round three competition at the State Volleyball Centre, Dandenong.


Home Membership Facilities Group Fitness Health Services Clubs Sport and Recreation Ski Lodge About Us Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Blues Volleyballers sweep the boards 04/07/07 By Thomas Nickson The Uni Blues have become the first team in 2007 to sweep a round of the Australian Volleyball League Women’s Series, recording four straight victories in round two at Morphetville, South Australia’s Marion Leisure Centre, at the weekend. Following a fourth place in last year’s competition, the fledgling club, an amalgamation of the Monash and Melbourne University Women’s Volleyball teams, has become a dominant force in 2007 competition. Friday match-up against UTS/Sydney University saw the Blues bounce-back from their round one defeat at the hands of the same opponents. Despite dropping the first set 18-25, Blues fought back to claim the second and third sets (25-17 and 25-14 respectively), as the team’s big hitter’s Rebecca Walters and Tarsha Praski made their presence felt. In a tightly contested fourth and ultimately final set, both teams found their A-game in defence, as closing out points became increasingly challenging for both sides. Trailing 18-22 deep in the fourth set, tough serving from Blues’ captain Shannon Campbell, and the continued form of Tarsha Praski and Rhiannon Watt, helped tie the game at 22 all. Before the Blues went on to close out the set and match 25-23. On the Saturday, the Blues again were slow starters in the second match-up against the Adelaide Rangers, conceding the opening set 22-25. Despite several errors early in the, Uni fumbled through the second set 25-22 to tie the match at one set all. With momentum building the Blues powered through the final two sets 25-15, 25-19, to win in four sets. Backing up less than three hours later, the Blues remedied their slow starts of previous matches, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage over JMS Queensland. Despite the Queenslanders recovering to take the lead 14-12 midway through the first set, the Blues again found their rhythm. The introduction of Mary Dempster as a burst player late in the first set, saw her reel off the final four points on her service, as the Blues claimed the set 25-18. The final two sets followed in similar fashion as the Blues were convincing straight set winners 25-18, 25-17, 25-13. In the team’s final fixture on Sunday against Western Australia, the Blues leaped from the blocks, racing through the first set 25-10, through service precision and pressure. Western Australia, stole the second set, recovering from 14-19 down, closing it out 27-25. With plenty of life in the game, the Blues, however, had all the answers, claiming the final two sets 25-17 and 25-22 to emerge victorious. The Blues now sit top of the AVL table, two points clear of New South Wales adversaries UTS/Sydney University in second place. Women’s series actions recommences on July 27th, as the Uni Blues play host to round three competition at the State Volleyball Centre, Dandenong.