. g i d y l k e we ustralia
volleyball south a
BALL SA STATE
VOLLEY AZINE OF THE AG M LY K EE W 3-4, 2013) ROUND 5 (MAY
HAWKS TAKE 3 1 0 2 N I T H G I FL NORWOOD AUSTRAL HENLEY MT LOFTY SOUTH USC LION ALSO INSIDE: ROUND 4 RECAP ROUND 5 PREVIEW LADDERS & RESULTS TIPPING TABLE
LEAGUE
LEADERBOARD AFTER RD 4
RD4 TOT
1
CooperPeacock
4
20
2
Camacattack
6
19
3
Justin93
4
19
4
Rusty
6
19
5
anaconda_2216
5
18
6
Grumpy
4
18
7
Pafagel
4
18
8
Best setter
5
17
9
BOOF77
5
17
4
17
10 twest
NORTHERN KNIGHTS
Back-to-back wins for Knights
N
orthern Knights have secured back-to-back wins in the men’s State League reserves competition, defeating Austral Phoenix at Mt Lofty Sports Centre last Saturday. The Knights built on their victory over USC Lion in round three, as they defeated Austral in straight-sets. Matthew Grace lifted his side in a tight contest, as the Knights improved to third on the ladder. The Knights’ women are still searching for their first victory of the season, after they were defeated by Austral 3-0. Erin Kelly put in a gallant performance as the Knights pushed Phoenix, improving as the match went on.
RESERVES WRAP
Super South
S
outh Adelaide has maintained its perfect start to the women’s State League reserves season, defeating Henley 3-0. South have a 4-0 record, while third-placed USC Lion are the only other undefeated team, with a 3-0 record after four rounds. In the men’s competition, Norwood have improved their winning streak to five-games, beating bottom-placed Lion 3-0. COVER IMAGE: Zina Stone has been a key behind the Hawks resurgence. © Peter Argent / Volleyball SA
0-4: Mt Lofty’s men will need to turnaround their season after a slow start.
PICTURES: Peter Argent & VSA Archives (2010)
LION REMAIN UNDEFEATED, SOUTH MEN INTO SECOND
A
BY DAVID PENROSE
fter an even opening three weeks of State League action - which saw only four straight-sets contests - there were five straight-sets victories in round four. Amongst them, USC Lion defeating Henley in a top-of-the-table women’s clash.
U
SC Lion has ended Henley’s unbeaten start to the women’s State League season, outclassing the Hawks in straightsets at Brighton Secondary School last Friday night. Henley entered the match full of confidence after consecutive victories over 2012 finalists, but Lion dominated from the outset. Zina Stone performed well for Henley, as the Hawks dropped to
third place after four rounds. Earlier, Henley’s men moved into third spot after triumphing over USC Lion 3-0. The Hawks played aggressively, frustrating their opponents and restricting the impact of key players. Russell Moore was amongst the best for Henley. Henley face the winless Mt Lofty in round five.
orwood has kept reigning premiers Mt Lofty winless after four rounds of the men’s State League season, winning their grand final rematch 3-1 at Mt Lofty Sports Centre on Saturday. The Bears dropped the first set, but recovered to win in four sets and remain undefeated. Sam White was impressive for Norwood, as they avenged their
2012 grand final defeat and claimed their fifth win in their last six contests with Mt Lofty.
outh Adelaide has moved to second on the ladder in the men’s State League, accounting for Austral Phoenix 3-0 at Mt Lofty Sports Centre last Saturday. London Olympian Nathan Roberts - making his seasondebut - had an immediate impact as South claimed a tight first set before easing to victory. South has now won three of its four matches - with its only loss
coming against top-of-the-table Norwood in round two. South Adelaide’s women saw their winless start to the season continue, as Austral claimed a straight-sets victory. Phoenix breezed through the opening two sets, before prevailing in a tight third set as they recorded their first victory of the season. Verity Hanka was dominant for the winners.
N
S
02 VSA DIG. | volleyballsa.com.au
Meanwhile, Norwood’s women lost to Mt Lofty 3-0 despite the best efforts of Bonnie Poulter. The result saw Norwood slip to fifth on the ladder ahead of an encounter with fourth-place Austral next weekend.
RESULTS (ROUND 4) VS MEN HENLEY HAWKS
3
USC LION
0
25-14 25-17 25-18
WOMEN USC LION
3
HENLEY HAWKS
0
25-19 25-16 25-14
VS MEN NORWOOD BEARS
3
MT LOFTY
22-25 25-16 25-23 25-20
1
WOMEN MT LOFTY
3
NORWOOD BEARS
0
25-17 25-14 25-9
VS MEN SOUTH ADELAIDE
AUSTRAL PHOENIX
25-20 25-14 25-17
3 0
WOMEN AUSTRAL PHOENIX SOUTH ADELAIDE
25-19 25-15 26-24
3 0
henley hawks
LEAGUE MEN ROUND 5 PREVIEW WHO’S PLAYING? FRIDAY
08:30 PM
NORWOOD
v AUSTRAL
BRIGHTON
1
MT LOFTY
2
SATURDAY
04:00 PM
SOUTH
v USC LION
MT LOFTY
2
SATURDAY
02:00 PM
HENLEY
v MT LOFTY
MATCH OF THE ROUND (SATURDAY 4pm)
SOUTH ADELAIDE VS USC LION
South Adelaide and USC Lion finished 2012 with identical win-loss records as Lion claimed the fourth and final spot in the finals due to their superior set percentage. In 2013, both sides sit inside the top four after the first month of the season. But they enter this weekend’s clash in contrasting fashion. Second-placed South have performed well in the early rounds, with their only loss coming against top-placed Norwood in round two, as they have built a 3-1 record. However, USC are coming off consecutive losses to Norwood and Henley, after winning their opening two games of the season. Lion face the added challenge of London Olympian - and former teammate - Nathan Roberts, as they look to return to their winning ways. In his season debut last weekend, Roberts put in a dominant performance for South as they defeated Austral in straight-sets. RECENT MEETINGS: RD 13, 2012
SOUTH
3-2
25-18 19-25 25-15 16-25
15-9
RD 04, 2012
SOUTH
3-2
23-25 23-25 25-17 25-18
15-5
RD 09, 2012
USC LION
3-1
21-25 25-18 26-24 26-24
LEAGUE WOMEN ROUND 5 PREVIEW WHO’S PLAYING? FRIDAY
07:00 PM
NORWOOD
v AUSTRAL
BRIGHTON
1
MT LOFTY
1
SATURDAY
04:00 PM
HENLEY
v MT LOFTY
MT LOFTY
1
SATURDAY
02:00 PM
SOUTH
v USC LION
MATCH OF THE ROUND (SATURDAY 4pm)
HENLEY HAWKS VS MT LOFTY Henley lost their undefeated start to 2013 in round four, eclipsed by the well-oiled machine better known as USC Lion. The challenge for the Hawks now, is to rebound from their first loss against another tough opponent, 2012 grand finalists Mt Lofty. Mt Lofty have quietly accumulated a 3-1 record after four rounds, with their only loss coming also against table-topping Lion. After the Hawks loss to USC last Friday night, Lofty moved into second-place as they defeated Norwood on Saturday. Hannah Ross continued her strong form, as Mt Lofty won in straightsets. Henley, led by Zina Stone, battled hard but were under continual pressure from Lion as they fell in three-sets. This battle will give a strong indication of how far the Hawks have come from last season, or if Mt Lofty are still the closest to Lion. RECENT MEETINGS: RD 13, 2012
MT LOFTY
3-0
RD 04, 2012
MT LOFTY
3-1
RD 09, 2012
MT LOFTY
3-0
25-5
25-19 25-18
25-17 25-16
25-9
25-13 25-14 24-26
25-9
HAWKS: Henley’s Zina Stone and Jason Thomas at the State League season launch earlier in the year. PICTURE: Peter Argent / VSA
Hawks flying high in ‘13
H
BY DAVID PENROSE
enley may have lost their unbeaten start to the women’s season last round, but after a difficult 2012 the Hawks women are definitely on the up in 2013. After enduring a winless 2012 Henley’s women have opened their season with a 3-1 record, with their only loss coming against the undefeated USC Lion in round four. While disappointed to have lost, Henley President Matthew Lane could still see positives from a performance against the side he rates as a clear number one. “We had our moments with Bec Palmer making good solid defence and passing, but it was our worst hitting game this season,” Lane said. Despite the hiccup against Lion, the Hawks have already won as many sets (nine) as they did for the entire 2012 season. Lane believes the added talent
and depth - in the way of Heike Jensen, Zina Stone and Becchara Palmer - is a key behind the turnaround from last season. “Heike, Zina and Bec bring confidence to the older (existing) and younger players that they are a team that can compete against the top teams in SA.” While the Hawks women will be looking to break their finalshoodoo, Henley’s men will be looking to improve on last year’s preliminary final exit. Despite sitting third, Lane concedes his men still have work to do, starting with a tough contest against Mt Lofty - the side which ended their 2012 season in the preliminary final. The Hawks have been plagued by inconsistency in the first four rounds, but at their best look capable of beating anyone. While top four is the target, the Hawks men are striving for their first premiership since merging with Campbelltown in 1998.
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vsaweeklydig. FAN CHOICE POLL
After four rounds of the State League season there are two unbeaten teams, and two winless teams. Which outcome do you think will happen first? A) Norwood’s men lose thier first game of the season B) South Adelaide’s women record a win C) Reigning men’s premier Mt Lofty open their account D) USC Lion suffer a loss in the women’s competition
25% 17% 42% 17%
volleyballsa.com.au | VSA DIG. 03
RESULTS (ROUND 4) RESERVES MEN NORWOOD KNIGHTS SOUTH
1
d USC LION d AUSTRAL d HENLEY
RESERVES WOMEN SOUTH
USC LION AUSTRAL
d HENLEY
d NORWOOD d KNIGHTS
DIV ONE MEN AUSTRAL
NORWOOD HENLEY SOUTH
2
d MT LOFTY 1 d MT LOFTY 2 d KNIGHTS W d USC LION
DIV ONE WOMEN
3
4
3-0 25-23 25-22 25-22
3-2 19-25 16-25 25-16 25-22 1
2
3
4
3-0 25-19 25-21 25-23 2
3
4
AUSTRAL W
d HENLEY
56%
52%
8
4 5 6
USC LION AUSTRAL
MT LOFTY
4 4 4
2 1 0
2 3 4
7 4
7 9
3
12
50% 31% 20%
51% 50% 47% 45%
10 8 6 4
LEAGUE WOMEN 12
3-0 25-20 25-19 25-22
3
HENLEY
4
3
1
9
9
50%
51%
10
2
3-0 25-17 25-12 25-11 2
3
4
5
3-0 25-22 25-23 25-23 25-7
3-0 25-20 25-13 25-22
LEAGUE WOMEN NORWOOD MT LOFTY
v AUSTRAL v HENLEY v SOUTH
RESERVES MEN
BRIGHTON
1
MT LOFTY
2
MT LOFTY
2
09:00 AM
KNIGHTS
v HENLEY
MT LOFTY
1
MT LOFTY
1
11/05/13
12:00 PM
AUSTRAL
v SOUTH
MT LOFTY
1
RESERVES WOMEN USC LION AUSTRAL
VENUE/COURT v MT LOFTY v SOUTH
v HENLEY
MT LOFTY
2
MT LOFTY
2
MT LOFTY
2
www.volleyballsa.com.au/stateleague/draws
VSA WEEKLY DIG.
WRITERS David Penrose DESIGNER David Penrose PHOTOGRAPHY © Peter Argent / VSA CONTACT To contribute to VSA Weekly Dig, pitch a story idea, or provide photographs, please contact David at dap.1987@hotmail.com
VOLLEYBALL SA
PHONE (08) 8363 1265 FAX (08) 8363 9085 EMAIL info@volleyballsa.com.au find 43 Lower Portrush Road, Marden, 5070. mail PO Box 145, Marden, 5070.
WWW.VOLLEYBALLSA.COM.AU 04 VSA DIG. | volleyballsa.com.au
0
3 4
6
4 9
6
19
3
12
71% 40% 38% 20%
57% 47% 47% 44%
10 6 6 4
W
L
SF
SA
Set%
Pts%
PTS
5
0
15
6
71%
53%
15
3
KNIGHTS
5
2
3
9
9
50%
50%
9
7
AUSTRAL
SOUTH ADELAIDE MT LOFTY HENLEY
USC LION
RESERVES WOMEN
5 4 4 4 3
3 2 2 1 0
2 2 2 3 3
10
11
9
8
9
8
8
11
2
9
48% 53% 53% 42% 18%
50% 51% 51% 48% 46%
11 8 8 6 3
P
W
L
SF
SA
Set%
Pts%
PTS
1
SOUTH ADELAIDE
4
4
0
12
3
80%
58%
12
3
USC LION
3
3
0
9
2
82%
57%
9
2 4 5 6 7
AUSTRAL
NORWOOD MT LOFTY HENLEY
KNIGHTS
DIV ONE MEN
5 5 4 4 5
3 2 2 1 0
2 3 2 3 5
11
6
9
13
5
10
7 2
6
15
65% 41% 54% 33% 12%
53% 47% 50% 49% 40%
11 9 8 6 5
P
W
L
SF
SA
Set%
Pts%
PTS
1
SOUTH ADELAIDE
5
4
1
14
6
70%
56%
13
3
NORWOOD
5
3
2
12
8
60%
52%
11
2 4 5 6
FULL STATE LEAGUE DRAW & RESULTS:
4
1
3
10
5
6
11/05/13
v MT LOFTY
SOUTH ADELAIDE
4
1
1
P
5
VENUE/COURT USC LION
NORWOOD
4
3
NORWOOD
4
VENUE/COURT USC LION
AUSTRAL
4
1 2
3-1 26-28 25-16 25-22 25-21
v SOUTH
5
MT LOFTY
RESERVES MEN
25-19 25-12
3-0 25-10 25-12 25-13
MT LOFTY
4 6
VENUE/COURT
KNIGHTS
7
63%
3-1 25-18 25-15 18-25 26-24
1
12:00 PM
9
6
PTS
MT LOFTY
11/05/13
2
10
56%
v HENLEY
10:30 AM
2
1
Pts%
NORWOOD
11/05/13
4
3
86%
04:00 PM
09:00 AM
HENLEY
4
Set%
11/05/13
11/05/13
3
SOUTH ADELAIDE
2
1
10:30 AM
12
2
SA
MT LOFTY
11/05/13
53%
12
1
04:00 PM
PTS
75%
SF
BRIGHTON
11/05/13
Pts%
4
L
v AUSTRAL
02:00 PM
Set%
12
0
USC LION
11/05/13
SA
0
4
07:00 PM
08:30 PM
SF
4
W
10/05/13
10/05/13
L
4
4
LEAGUE MEN 02:00 PM
W
NORWOOD
P
20-25 27-25
UPCOMING fixtures (round 06) 11/05/13
P 1
USC LION
25-9
3-0
d KNIGHTS
LEAGUE MEN
1
3-1 25-10
AUSTRAL P
NORWOOD W d MT LOFTY
5
3-0 25-21 25-15 25-11
3-1 12-25 28-26 25-13 25-23
AUSTRAL W
5
3-2 25-17 20-25 25-14 24-26 15-12
NORWOOD E d SOUTH
d HENLEY
15-9
3-0 25-17 25-20 25-22
1
NORWOOD W d USC LION
5
3-0 25-20 25-19 27-25
1
d USC LION
SOUTH
Standings (after round 4)
7 8 9
HENLEY
MT LOFTY 2 AUSTRAL
MT LOFTY 1 USC LION
KNIGHTS GREEN KNIGHTS WHITE
DIV ONE WOMEN
5 5 4 5 5 4 4
3 3 3 2 2 1 0
2 2 1 3 3 3 4
13
7
10
11
9
11
11
4
6
13
3
12
4
10
65% 48% 73% 45% 32% 29% 20%
53% 44%
11 11
54%
10
46%
9
50% 53% 42%
9 6 4
P
W
L
SF
SA
Set%
Pts%
PTS
1
AUSTRAL WHITE
5
5
0
15
2
88%
59%
15
3
NORWOOD WEST
5
3
1
10
3
77%
56%
10
2
7
50%
8
2 4 5 6 7 8 9
HENLEY
USC LION
NORWOOD EAST
SOUTH ADELAIDE
AUSTRAL PURPLE MT LOFTY KNIGHTS
5 5 4 4 5 5 4
3 3 2 2 1 1 0
2 1 2 4 4 4
11
10 7
8 3 7 9
5
13
0
12
5
13
58% 77% 50% 44% 28% 28% 0%
54% 55% 51% 46% 42% 29%
11
10 8 7 7 4