Strong local showing in national squad

Three local volleyballers have been selected for the women’s national team for a tour of Chile, flying out this weekend.

Lily Zwart, Holly Chandler and Katie Adamson were selected in the 12-person Volley Ferns squad announced last week.

Holly says it’s exciting to make the next step up and to be recognised as one of the best in the country, having previously made national age-group teams in both indoor and beach volleyball. Having made the squad last year, she says they did not travel to compete because of costs and Covid 19 and it’s exciting to get the opportunity to wear the silver fern and represent her country. “This is my first time playing for the Volley Ferns. . . It will be cool to play with the people I’m usually playing against.

“It’s a cool achievement to come from New Zealand and to go over there and compete at that level. Everywhere else is so much bigger than us.”

Holly says Chile is known to have a strong volleyball programme. Having travelled to Christchurch multiple times for training camps, she says she still didn’t expect to make the team.

“I guess I’m not one to rate myself, so I kind of hoped but didn’t actually really expect it.”