Volleyball Pioneer men almost upset

Press, 29 May 1989, Page 24

Volleyball Pioneer men almost upset

The Shirley A men’s volleyball team nearly upset the winning run of its rival, Pioneer, at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday. The Southern zone league leader, Pioneer, managed to win, 3-2, but the set scores told the story — 15-10, 15-9, 11-15, 6-15, 16-14. Pioneer won the first and second sets, then made changes to the team in order to develop the Whole squad. Shirley A took advantage of the changes to win the third and fourth sets, but Pioneer fought back, winning the final set 16-14.

Mike Tutaki (Pioneer), playing in his debut game, and Issac Bishara (Pioneer), played well. The captain, Gilbert Enoka praised the substi-

tutes. Pioneer won its first game of the day, against Shirley Relics, 3-0 — 15-5, 15-11, 152. This puts Pioneer comfortably ahead at the top of the table. In the other men’s games, Aranui Smash overpowered Shirley Relics 3-1 — 15-9, 158, 13-15, 15-6. Earlier it lost 3-0 to Shirley A. In the women’s competition, Pioneer met its closest rival, Shirley, and emphasised its lead with a 3-1 win. Shirley surprised the Pioneer team in a tough first set, which Pioneer conceded, 12-15. Pioneer, true to form, won the next three sets. Julia Smith played well for Pioneer to counter good play by Shirley’s Jenifer Hooke and Sara Hughey. Pioneer also won its game against Hornby in straight sets 15-12, 15-3, 15-2. Aranui Smash worked hard to win both its games — 3-0 against Hornby and 3-1 against Shirley.