Churchie trump State High in a clean sweep; BBC wins rematch

GPS volleyball round 1: It was a battle of east and west when Brisbane State High School travelled to Churchie; while BBC prevailed in a finals’ rematch. SEE HOW IT UNFOLDED

The GPS volleyball season started with a bang on Saturday with a ripper of a clash between Churchie and Brisbane State High School, while BBC prevailed in a finals’ rematch against BGS.

Here was how it unfolded as the www.couriermail.com.au and questnews starts its coverage of the GPS volleyball season.

Brisbane Boys’ College (away) versed Brisbane Grammar School (home).

The match up between the 2022 silver and bronze medallists did not disappoint.

BBC got off to a thrilling start in the first set, maintaining an eight-point lead for most of the set over their Brisbane Grammar rivals.

BGS managed to claw their way back for a tight finish, but BBC’s Daniel Yee and Finlay Dryden proved too strong on the net.

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In the second set, it was the blocking efforts of Stephen Pill that helped BBC gain another set.

It was an easy feat in the third, as BBC ran away with it to close the match at 3-0 sets.

It puts a target on the school’s back as a team to beat this year.

Brisbane Boys' College (BBC) verse Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) in round 1 GPS volleyball 2023

Brisbane State High School (away) v Churchie (home)

On home soil, Anglican Church Grammar School claimed a clean sweep in the opens volleyball division over rivals Brisbane State High School.

The 3rds, 2nds and 1sts VI teams showed no mercy in winning their matches in straight sets.

It sets the tone for Churchie’s bid to bring home the premiership, three years after their last GPS volleyball victory.

The run of success began in the 3rds match up, with crowds swarming to the stands to view the teams battle it out to three sets.

It was Churchie that closed the first, before State High turned the tables and levelled the field.

The West End side looked threatening in the final set, with team spirits keeping them in contention for an upset.

With only a few points to spare, the State High libero made an unsuspecting ‘header’ that ignited a rally of soccer-style moves from his side.

The antics were amusing, but no match for Churchie’s determination to close the game in 2-1 sets.

An hour after their game was due to start, the 2nds sides took the court well warmed-up.

It was once again the blue and grey who got first points on the board thanks to spectacular blocking on the net.

There was little competition from the start, allowing Churchie to steam through the first set 25-11.

The second set provided a chance for the away team to make a come back, but Churchie did not let up.

In the blink of an eye it was another victory for the home team, who closed the set at 25-12 to win 2-0.

The quick win allowed time to catch up, but the day was no where near done.

Nearly 90 minutes after the 1sts were scheduled to play, warm-up for their game began.

Atmosphere built as family and friends claimed their seats to watch.

It was an abrupt start as Churchie aced their first serve, deep in the back row of State High’s defence.

At the halfway mark, Churchie held a 13-9.

Blocking from Churchie’s no. 8 (Sampson Nott) and no. 5 (Samuel Welsh) helped back-up the side’s relentless attacking hits.

Serving pressure from State High’s no. 47, and two time-outs threatened to knock Churchie off their game.

But the tactical moves did not phase the blue and grey.

A final blow closed the first set 25-21 in favour of the home team.

Throughout the second set, it was point for point until a break at 12-10 for the home team.

The set was done and dusted when Churchie claimed 25-18 victory with ease, thanks to the continued net pressure from Nott and Welsh.

An hour into the game, the third set began.

It was once again a nailbiting close start to the set, with both sides showing determination to break the point-for-point cycle early on.

There seemed no rest until Churchie lead 12-8, but State High kept on their trail to bring it back within two points.

Strong serves and fierce outside hits from Oliver Chancellor made all the difference.

As quickly as it closed, the gap extended out to 17-10 before State High coaches called a nervous time-out.

It made little difference to Churchie’s forceful attacking, and the score soon stood at 24-14.

The winning point was held off by an unforced serving error that gave State High a chance to fight back.

Despite efforts, a tipped ball from the State High libero marked the end of play, with Churchie taking the 3-0 set victory after 80 minutes of play.

Coach Ben Wasley was pleased with his teams efforts following the win.

“We knew this would be a tough game, Brisbane State High are a top four team this year,” he said.

“We needed to come out and play well. It is the perfect start to the season for us.”

Wasley said the team’s calm mindset helped them perform well despite the day’s delay.

“We’ve been working on keeping cool and calm before the game, and that really showed when we came out firing in the first set.”

Talking about his hopes for the team this season, Wasley believes it is school’s year to bring home the trophy.

“We’re going for the premiership,” he said.

“We know it’s going to be tight, but that’s our hope.”

Toowoomba Grammar School (away) versed Gregory Terrace (home).

TGS won 3-1 sets in firsts.

Bye games: Ipswich Grammar School and Nudgee College.