SA volleyballers set for hometown clash with Italy

NATHAN Roberts can stroll through Adelaide without most passers-by batting an eyelid, but that’s not the case across Europe, where the SA volleyball star is a household name.

South Australian National Volleyball reps Greg Sukochev, Nathan Peacock and Harry Peacock take a break from their training regime at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra.

NATHAN Roberts can stroll through Adelaide without most passers-by batting an eyelid.

That’s not the case across Europe, where the Flagstaff Hill volleyball star is a household name.

“I walk around the streets of Poland and people constantly stop and talk to you because they know who you are,” says Roberts, who has also played for clubs in Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Italy and Slovenia.

“It can be pretty ridiculous, especially in smaller towns where you’re in the paper every week.”

The Australian men’s team returns to Adelaide Arena this weekend for Volleyball World League clashes with world No. 4 Italy on Friday and Saturday.

Roberts is one of three Croweaters in the Volleyroos squad alongside Summertown’s Harry Peacock and Bedford Park’s Greg Sukochev.

“It’s always nice to play in Australia full stop, but it’s extra special to return to where we grew up and to play in front of family and friends,” Sukochev, 27, says.

“Italy are a quality team and lot of their players have a lot of experience, but it’s special to get these kinds of games against this type of opposition.”

Sukochev’s and Roberts’ volleyball careers have followed similar paths.

The pair took up the sport after applying to attend Brighton High despite living outside the school’s zone.

“I could either get in through special interest music, which I’m not too great at, or (Brighton’s) specialised volleyball program,” says Sukochev, who has played for teams in Sweden, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia and Lebanon.

“I went to try outs and wasn’t anything outstanding, but I was good enough to get into the program and the more I played it the more I enjoyed it.”

The duo rose through the ranks of local club USC Lion and were selected to attend the Australian Institute of Sport aged 18.

They have since split their time between Canberra and overseas clubs.

“It has its ups and downs being away from home so much – try spending a week with your family in a whole year,” Roberts, 29, says.

“But it’s amazing, we get to travel the world and experience cultures we normally wouldn’t.

“We’ll definitely have a lot of stories when we’re older.”

The Volleyroos will next month travel to Sao Paulo to face world No. 1 Brazil in the WVL before away clashes in Italy and Serbia.

The side, which finished ninth at the London 2012 Olympics, is focused on a top-three placing at the Asian Championships to qualify for next year’s Rio Games.