Ladder After Round 2

Round 2 Media Release (Melbourne 24 - 26 October)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA CLIMB TO THE TOP OF THE LADDER
Monash and Melbourne Universities played host to Round Two of the Men’s Australian
Volleyball League (AVL) over the weekend. Five of the seven teams flew in for the round which
saw nine games played.
Host Melbourne Monash University Blues posted a prefect round winning all four of their
matches against Western Australia, South Australia’s Mt Lofty Rangers, the Australian Institute
of Sport (AIS) and Canberra Heat.
Though, it’s Western Australia who has climbed to the top of the Series ladder over the Uni
Blues, on percentages, thanks to solid performances in the first round. Round One ladder
leaders Queensland Pirates and UTSSU had a bye this weekend, but will be back in action
when the AVL moves to Adelaide for Round Three in two weeks.
AIS were hard done by going down to both Uni Blues and Western Australia in the only five set
matches of the weekend. The disappointment of 1 win, 2 losses are sure to spur the team on for
the remaining rounds.
Uni Blues player Adam Williams stepped it up in front of his home crowd with some big hitting
displays at the net and Stephen Brooks as Libero on Sunday was all over the court keeping the
ball alive for his team’s hitters.
Mt Lofty Rangers Captain Stuart Maycock was still under an injury cloud, taking the court only
occasionally throughout the weekend. He is hoping to return to full fitness in time for the
Adelaide Round and provoke his team to reach their full playing potential.
Canberra Heat turned in a more consistent performance, although this was not reflected on the
scoreboard. Coach Les Young has said that the Heat have started a rebuilding phase, which
includes playing a touring team from Slovakia that is currently in Australia. This may the start of
things to come for the young Canberra side.
Western Australia lacked concentration in their game against Uni Blues, but otherwise they put
in another solid performance that has seen them claim the ladder lead. Stand out performers for
WA, were young guns Luke Smith and Libero Rohan Fariss, as was setter Brendan Robertson.
AVL Round Three will be held at Mt Lofty Community Sports Centre at Heathfield High School
from the 79 November.

Round 2 Results:
University Blues def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-12)
Volleyball WA def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-13, 30-28)
University Blues def AIS 3:2 (19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 24-26, 16-14)
Volleyball WA def Canberra Heat 3:0 (25-17, 25-16 25-22)
AIS def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21)
University Blues def Volleyball WA 3:1 (25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19)
Mt Lofty Rangers def Canberra Heat 3:1 (25-18, 25-17, 21-25, 25-22)
Volleyball WA def AIS 3:2 (23-25, 26-24, 17-25, 25-17, 15-11)
University Blues def Canberra Heat 3:0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-16)

Round 1 Media Release (Sydney 10 - 12 October)

The Men’s Australian Volleyball League had its first round of the season this weekend in Sydney. The competition pits the top players from State League Competitions around Australia against each other in a grand-prix style series.

Round one was hosted by the combined Sydney-based volleyball club, University of Technology/University of Sydney. The competition was held at Sydney Olympic Park’s Sports Halls on Saturday and Sunday. Twelve games were held over the weekend where six of the participating seven teams made their way to Sydney.

There was some fierce competition with four out of the twelve games going onto 5 sets. At the completion of Round 1, two teams share the top of the competition ladder, UTSSU and Queensland Pirates, who are yet to meet in the competition, but the Series will get interesting with the inclusion of the AIS in Round 2. Unfortunately we have to wait until Round 3 in Adelaide to see Series contenders UTSSU and Queensland Pirates take on each other.

Mt Lofty Rangers, from South Australia, had a tough weekend with an injury-depleted team. They were unlucky against Uni Blues going down in the fifth set 15-11, but turned the tables to win against Canberra Heat in five sets. With former Australian representative setter Raoul Tuul as their coach, the Rangers might surprise a few teams in the coming rounds.

Doug Farrer was the driving force for his team, Canberra Heat, sending a warning out that the Heat should not be taken lightly. Other standout players were young Luke Smith, the 18 year old from Western Australia is a talent for the future. Cedric Legrand is a deadly accurate hitter from the Melbourne Monash University Blues and Brendan White from the Queensland Pirates certainly held is own this weekend in an experienced Queensland lineup.

Round 2 will be held in Melbourne 24-26 October 2008. Monash University will host the play on Friday and Sunday, with Melbourne University hosting the games on Saturday.

Round 1 Result:
Queensland Pirates def. Mt Lofty Rangers 3:1 (25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 25-23)
UTSSU def. Volleyball WA 3:2 (23-25, 25-17, 24-26, 25-16, 15-12)
Queensland Pirates def. Canberra Heat 3:0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-17)
Melbourne Monash Uni Blues def. Mt Lofty Rangers 3:2 (25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 20-25, 15-11)
UTSSU def. Canberra Heat 3:0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-17)
Volleyball WA def. Melbourne Monash Uni Blues 3:2 (25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 20-25, 15-13)
UTSSU def. Mt Lofty Rangers 3:1 (25-21, 30-28, 26-28, 25-20)
Queensland Pirates def. Volleyball WA 3:0 (25-12, 27-25, 25-23)
Mt Lofty Rangers def. Canberra Heat 3:2 (25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 20-25, 17-15)
Pirates def. Melbourne Monash Uni Blues 3:1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17)
Volleyball WA def. Canberra Heat 3:1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-17, 25-19)
UTSSU def. Melbourne Monash Uni Blues 3:1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21)

Click here for the full Men's 2008 AVL Draw

Men's AVL Squad

Coaching staff/manager:

Mr Cho 0430 580 243

Morky   0403 007 593

Nam      0411 279 709

Chris      0413 484 100

Rounds to be played:

ROUND 1 SYDNEY, NSW

FRIDAY 10TH - SUNDAY 12TH OCTOBER

ROUND 3 ADELAIDE, SA

FRIDAY 7TH - SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

ROUND 4 QUEENSLAND, QLD

FRIDAY 28TH - SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER

 Notes:

There may be further cuts/additions depending on player availability/affordability.

Each of the 18 will be required to pay $100 for Training shirts, Track Suits and coaching/training fees.

12 Players will be selected per round.

Players chosen to play each round will have to pay about $500 per round, minus what their club will subsidise them – covers airfares, accommodation and ground transport.

Being part of the 18 does not guarantee that you will play. You are all competing for the 12 available spots.

UTSSU will supply playing strip, but this will remain the property of the club.

Any player testing positive to any drugs on the banned list will be charged the full fee ($1500) and will be excluded from both clubs indefinitely. The State and Government bodies will also take action. This is taken MOST SERIOUSLY by the club.

Players unable to make a training session must contact Chris 0413 484 100 or Morky (Mark) 0403 007 593

Trainings:

Monday & Wednesday 7:00 – 9:30 at Trinity Grammar- 119 Prospect Road, Summer Hill NSW 2130

First session: Wednesday 17th September