Volleyballers at states

BALLARAT’S elite volleyballers competed over the weekend in the Division 1 Men’s competition at the 50th Annual Volleyball Victoria Country Championships.

Held over three days at Bendigo Stadium, the tourney featured over 40 teams from 11 Regional Associations competing in six divisions.

Despite missing two of their starting six players in the first game, Ballarat took it up to the competition favourites and defending champions, Bendigo, losing a close five set encounter 2-3 (25:23, 11:25, 25:18, 16:25, 9:15). Captain Ben Hassell led from the front and his setting, in combination with Michael Cirillo kept Ballarat in the game.

The performance came at a cost though with threetime tournament All Star Tom Murnane dominating most of the match before injuring his shoulder, coincidentally so did younger brother and defensive specialist Henry.

Despite playing patches offensive high-pressure over the weekend, the team lost their remaining matches to Sunraysia 0-3 (19:25, 13:25, 18:25), eventual winners Horsham 0-3 (15:25, 19:25, 26:28) and La Trobe Valley 1-3 (16:25, 15:25, 25:23, 22:25).