Most uplifting moments from day 2 at Australian Volleyball Schools Cup 2023

It started with a Western Australian Derby and ended in an emotional underdog triumph. See the top three moments at Australian Volleyball Schools Cup day 2, 2023. Full details:

It started with a Western Australian Derby and ended in an emotional underdog triumph.

From Logan to Perth, see the top three moments at Australian Volleyball Schools Cup day 2, 2023.

THREE

Hale v Aquinas, Year 11 boys honours (9:45am)

Round 2 of the day featured a much-anticipated WA derby between rival schools: Hale School and Aquinas College.

The pair are well acquainted inter-school competitors, and the friendly rivalry runs five years deep.

Hale won the PSA (Private Schools Association) premiership each year from 2019-2022, but had their run cut short in 2023 when Aquinas rose as underdogs to win 3-2.

With the sting still lingering, Hale were not going to let their neighbours repeat the damage.

It was a tight, competitive match that went into a fourth set.

In the end it was the work of Will Rigg that sealed the deal, Rigg putting up a concrete block on Aquinas’s outside hitter.

TWO

Rangitoto v Heathfield, Open Girls Honours (11:30am)

To say Rangitoto College boast an impressive Open Girls Honours side would be an understatement.

The New Zealand visitors have made it known they’re not leaving without a medal and remain undefeated after their first two games.

Refusing to concede a set, the side fended off a last-ditch comeback effort from South Australia’s Heathfield High on Tuesday afternoon.

Two sets were already in the bag when Rangitoto seemed to have lost their rhythm in the third.

Heathfield were eager to drag out the match and fought hard to come back within five points.

A tight match is nothing without controversy, and that is exactly what broke out when the scoreline hit 23-18.

Rangitoto was awarded the point for an apparent illegal backcourt hit from Heathfield, however the Adelaide side were stubborn in their argument with officials, resulting in the call being overturned in their favour.

The side inched closer to Rangitoto’s lead, though it was Kyel Anderson who sealed the deal with an outside hit to win 25-22.

ONE

Woodridge v Mountain Creek, Year 11 Girls Division 1

Two years ago, Woodridge won silver in the year 9 girls division 1.

After celebrating their victory, most players spent two years away from the courts before deciding to make an AVSC comeback in 2023 as Year 11s.

One year ago, Mountain Creek won bronze in the Year 11 girls honours but have returned in a division lower.

Round 2 of day two featured the sides go head-to-head, and it was the underdog Woodridge girls who came out on top.

It was an unlikely victory for a side who had suffered a 2-0 loss to second-placed Proserpine in the previous round.

Both coach and captain were ecstatic with the 2-0 win over Mountain Creek, who were sitting two spots above them on the ladder.

“It’s a pretty good feeling to come back after a bit of a loss this morning,” coach Kristina McColm said.

“Our girls played hard, they worked hard and they had lots of fun out there which was a huge success.”

The result puts Woodridge in a favourable position ahead of day three with just one more team to face, Kew, before finals begin.

Another victory could secure third place in pool B which would push them into the championship finals pool and medal contention.

Originally published as Most uplifting moments from day 2 at Australian Volleyball Schools Cup 2023