Volleyballers to visit Australia

Press, 17 July 1987, Page 21

Volleyballers to visit Australia

By

GARY BIRKETT

In an effort to get the best preparation for the national club volleyball championships the Pioneer men's and women’s teams will make a brief visit to Australia. The Christchurch club is the strongest in the South Island. It recently clinched the men’s and women’s sections of the southern league. The men’s coach, Tony Barnett, said that the club had decided to head to Australia for a week-long visit to get testing competition. "The last time we went on a tour before nationals was in 1982, around the North Island. We won the title that year, which shows that if you play lots of hard games in preparation you will do well.” The men’s team has lost to Sparta, of Auckland, in the last two national finals and is determined to redress the balance. Pioneer is captained by the long-serving Gilbert Enoka, and has a solid core of New Zealand representatives. The only player not travelling is Tony Natapu, who is unavailable because of family commitments. The women’s team last won the national title in 1982 but is expected to at least make the final this year. It is captained by Tracy Frame, and contains a sprinkling of New Zealand players. It should give a good account of itself under the guidance of the coach, John Mullany. The teams will leave Christchurch on Monday and play matches on each of the

following six days, including games against the full New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory sides. Mr Mullany believes his players will gain great benefit from the tough competition. Pioneer has rarely been tested in the southern league this year. The club sealed the southern league men’s championship with decisive wins agains Shirley A and Shirley B last week-end. Pioneer had to work hard to overcome Shirley A, 3-1, but had little trouble in disposing of Shirley B, 3-0. At the bottom of the league, Canterbury University, Smash and Otago University are now locked in a battle to avoid the promotionrelegation series. In the women’s section the champion, Pioneer, had a comfortable win over Shirley, 3-0, but the second-placed Smash was made to struggle before edging out Otago University, 3-2. Results.— Women: Smash 3, Scorpions 0; Smash 3, Otago University 2; Scorpions 3, Vikings 0; Canterbury University 3, Pioneer B 2; Shirley 3, Canterbury University 0; Pioneer 3, Shirley 0. Men: Shirley B 3, Canterbury University 1; Shirley A 3, Canterbury University 2; Pioneer 3, Shirley A 1; Pioneer 3, Shirley B 0; Vikings 3, Smash 2; Otago University 3, Smash 1; Scorpions 3, Vikings 2; Scorpions 3, Otago University 0; Otago University 3, Smash 1.