SUNRAYSIA Volleyball’s boys Under 17 squad have returned home victorious from the weekend’s Volleyball Victoria Junior Country Championships.
A three sets to one victory in the final on Sunday secured the win over Horsham following a standout tournament where the Sunraysia squad lost just two sets overall.
Brock Nokes, Josh Ellis and Derek Bagacay all earned All Star selection for their performances across event.
Mildura Volleyball Academy teams also performed well winning silver in the Under 19 women and bronze in the Under 19 men.
MVA were also fourth in the Under 17 girls, however emerging stars Poppy Wilkes was named MVP and earned All Star selection.
Hla Meh and Charlotte Hawson were All Stars in Under 19 women, with Abegail Ohsan and Jordana Ciccerallo best libero and setter respectively, while Will Price and Zack Boundy were All Stars for Under 19 men with Charles Santos awarded best setter.
Sunraysia Volleyball president Lachlan Giles said it taking a of hard work from the Under 17 squad and coaches Daniel Williams and Adrian Fox to prepare for the tournament.
“The boys did great, it was a really good reward for the amount of work they put in together over the past two months or so,” he said.
“It’s only the second time it’s been run. They trialled it last year playing alongside the senior country championships but with the size of it it probably wasn’t feasible for most associations.
“The boys are already talking about wanting to defend the title next year so I’m sure it will become a staple on the calendar.”
Sunraysia only dropped two sets all tournament, one of those being the first of the final.
Horsham came out with vigour in the decider and took the first set 25-22, but once the Sunraysia side hit their straps once their opponents were worn down.
Some strong defensive play helped to set up some big scoring points to round out the tournament.
The remaining major representative competitions for the year include the Dragon City tournament in Bendigo late in October and a Horsham event in November.
“I think we’ll be able to find room for a few of these boys to play A Grade in those tournaments,” Giles said.
