Dragon City Volleyball Tournament 2010

Final Report

The Bendigo Volleyball Association once again hosted its annual Dragon City Tournament this weekend on the Bendigo Stadium courts.

Thirty six teams made the journey to Bendigo for the weekend. Bendigo had many representative sides spread across the three men’s and 3 women’s divisions with Bendigo, Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport, Golden Square, Kanyana, Loddon Vipers and Bendigo Senior taking the court over the weekend.

Sides from Horsham, Melbourne, Albury, Warrnambool and Geelong also took to the court for the weekend’s tournament which was sponsored by Bendigo Pottery. Sides were all vying to take home the coveted Pottery trophies, which has become a feature of the Dragon City Tournament.

In the first final of the day KAFO faced off against Golden Square in the Women’s Division 1 final. During the round matches KAFO had defeated Golden Square 2 sets to 1. KAFO went through to the final with 4 wins and a draw and took to the court as favourites. Golden Square players Chelsea Haw and Frida Schoo teamed well during the weekend, while KAFO relied on pass hitters Katie Goldsworthy and Sue Mullen in attack. The first set saw Golden Square jump out to an early lead and while KAFO came back late in the set the locals secured the first set 25-20. The second was a more even contest as ex-Bendigonian Nicki Penny led her KAFO side back into the match. Golden Square prevailed in a tight set however, with Lani Smith keeping many balls alive in the backcourt. KAFO played well to win the third set and looked to have swung the momentum their way; however it was Golden Square who prevailed in the fourth set with Cheryl Moore spiking the winner to win the match 3 sets to 1.

WD 1 Result: Golden Square def KAFO 3:1 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23.

Court three hosted the Women’s Division 2 grand final between Warrnambool and Poleax. Poleax was a combined team with players from Geelong and Bendigo and won a comfortable first set with Claire Jones setting well. Warrnambool battled on valiantly with Cat Weymouth spiking some powerful balls, but it was Poleax who won the final 3 sets to nil.

WD 2 Result: Poleax def Warrnambool 3:0 25-23, 25-17, 25-13.

In the Men’s Division 3 final Melbourne Phantoms took on FOS, a combined side from around Albury. FOS went into the match not having lost a match and when the two teams met during the rounds they played out a draw. Relocated player Cheyne Browne was the standout spiker on the court for Melbourne Phantoms, however FOS used Ned Fellows well in attack as he won many points for his side.

MD 3 Result: Melbourne Phantoms def Sioux Spikers 25-11, 25-20, 25-23.

The Women’s Division 3 Final another local side Bendigo Senior faced off against Riddells Creek. During the rounds Bendigo Senior had played out a draw with Riddells, who finished on top of the ladder. Using their underdog status as motivation the Bendigo Senior girls, led by Hilary Thompson and Laura Kirby jumped out of the blocks winning the first set 25-8. The second set proved much closer as Riddells Creek made some positional changes and won the set to level the match. The teams traded the next two sets keeping the match level at 2 sets all. In a deciding fifth set, which was played to 15 points teams changed ends at 8 points to 7. Bendigo Senior looked to be home when they led the match 14 points to 11. Riddells Creek however dug deep and after a couple of unforced errors from the Bendigo side Riddells Creek came back to take the deciding fifth set 17-15.

WD 3: Riddells Creek def Bendigo Senior 3:2 8-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-12, 17-15.

On court 5 the Men’s Division 2 final saw Riddells Creek against a combined local side called Bendigo Latrobe Reunion. Many experienced players took to the court for the Reunion side including Terry Hogan, Wayne Symons, Leigh Gordon and Paul Filby. Riddells Creek, who play in the local BVA competition also had years of experience with Eddie Barake and Mark Jensen. In what proved to be a very entertaining match Riddells Creek won the first two sets and looked to be in control of the third. The Renunion side had other ideas however taking a lead midway through the third set. After timeout the Riddells side regrouped to win the third and final set.

MD 2 Result: Riddells Creek def Bendigo Latrobe Reunion 3:0 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.

The final match of the weekend saw Melbourne based Whoosh take on Q Redbacks in Men’s Division 1. While Whoosh finished on top of the ladder the Redbacks had to defeat local side Golden Square in a preliminary final before they could vie for the title. The first set was tight with both sides locked together at 15 all. It was the Redbacks side who lifted to take the first set 25-18. The Redbacks continued to power on from there as they controlled the final two sets of the match to win the Championship 3 sets to nil.

MD 1: Q Redbacks def Whoosh: 3:0 25-18, 25-18, 25-21.

Many teams, including Heidelberg, EIV and Renegades indicated already their willingness to return to Bendigo next November for the annual tournament, while the many local sides that entered will be sure to return to the Bendigo Stadium courts again next year. Another pleasing aspect of the weekends tournament was that all finals matches were refereed by local qualified referees, a great reflection of the work the Bendigo Volleyball Association, and Murray Mansfield have undertaken to lift the profile of refereeing. President of the Bendigo Association Carol McKinstry said “once again the Dragon City Tournament and the Bendigo Volleyball Association has provided quality matches at a local venue. Teams who entered were all wrapped in the event and are keen to return next year and compete for the Pottery prizes.”

Scott Ross

Bendigo Volleyball Association.