Round five of the 2023 GPS volleyball season reviewed
Brisbane State High School continued their surge towards a GPS premiership in round five of the 2023 volleyball season. See how the games unfolded in our recap here.
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Brisbane State High School continued the surge towards a GPS premiership in round five of the 2023 volleyball season.
Home side Ipswich Grammar fought to stay in contention, but a three-set loss certified their rivals dominance at the seaosn’s half-way mark.
Here is how it went down as the www.couriermail.com.au and Quest News continue the weekly coverage of the GPS volleyball season.
The game started with a bang for the Brisbane away side, who had an evident height advantage at the net.
Within a few minutes, State High had gained a slight lead thanks to the hitting skills of no.1 on the outside.
With accurate sets from No.5 and consistent communication between players, the visiting team surged early to gain a seven-point lead (12-5) before Ipswich called their first timeout.
It was the skilful passing of Ipswich’s libero Harrison Schooth that kept them competitive despite being down.
Combined with tricky tips on the net from the home team setter and strong serves from No.7 Suwani Nona, Ipswich fought hard not to let State High extend the gap.
Efforts were faulted when Brisbane’s tall attacking line up of No.44, No.47 and No.1 dominated both cross and line hits.
Ipswich called a second timeout towards the end of the first set in hopes of stopping Brisbane’s run, but quality passing from No.9 Tane Gregory (vice-captain) and an exceptional pipe ball from No.1 Alex Trevilyan (captain) were not enough.
The set closed with State High winning 25-13 and eager to go again.
SEE MORE: GPS round 1 wrap-up
SEE MORE: GPS round 2 wrap-up
An unforced serve error from Brisbane’s No.5 gave Ipswich the first point of the second set.
It was then a solid block on the outside from no.1 that returned possession to the visitors and levelled the score.
Ipswich’s No.5 Cooper Gates hit hard through the middle, deep into State High’s hitting line as they failed to return.
No.44 worked smoothly with his setter, delivering powerful blows as oppo in position 2 at the net.
The set remained much tighter than the first, a testament to the home side’s determination to fight back.
SEE THE FULL IGS TEAM LIST FROM THIS ROUND:
1. Alex Trevilyan (Captain)
3 (Back Row). Alec Underhill
3 (Front Row). Taj Steindl Corrie
4. Ben Gehrke
5. Cooper Gates
7. Suwani Nona
9. Tane Gregory (vice-captain)
11. Orlando Corrie
16. Peja Ahwang
17. Will Dobbin
20. Harrison Schooth
Note: team list forBrisbane State High School currently unavailable
State High fumbled a series of free balls which landed within the baseline, before regaining themselves and finding a groove.
Serving errors from both teams prevented a run-on of points, but it was Brisbane’s No.1 and No.47 who worked hard and eventually gained their team a 5-point lead.
No.11 boasted a powerful elevation over Ipswich’s blockers, before the visitor’s bench was shocked with a yellow card.
It was then an all-no.1 show, as hit after hit he dominated the net.
At 21-13, Ipswich called a timeout.
The move proved useful, as they won 7 of the next 10 points.
However, No.44 and No.47 sealed the deal with two strong hits that couldn’t be stopped.
SEE MORE: GPS round 3 wrap-up
SEE MORE: GPS round 4 wrap-up
The third set was a spectacle for both teams, as Ipswich threatened to take it to a fourth.
No.44 continued his strong hitting tactics as oppo while No.26 joined the attacking party.
It was obvious from the start this set would be another close one, as Schooth and Gregory refused to let easy points go against Ipswich.
After a run-on of outside cross hits from Brisbane’s No.1, a timeout was called by Ipswich to recentre themselves.
No.11 Orlando Corrie put all his strength into blocking the net against State High’s tall players, which paid off and allowed Ipswich to come back within two points (14-12).
There was no lack of effort from the home side, who kept pushing their visitors until the last point.
With the score line jumping to 24-17, a final blow was delivered by No.7 to seal State High’s 3-0 set victory.
In other games this round
Nudgee College v Brisbane Grammar School
Nudgee beat BGS 3-1, after dropping the first set to come back strong.
Debuting for the First VI side, middle blocker Will Adams was best on court for his side.
Middle Tom Eyles delivered a strong serving streak, while outsides Tim Philippe and Archer Springer were dominant in the final set.
It’s a sigh of relief for the reigning premiers, who last week lost to Brisbane State High School in close sets.
Round SIX draw (4th March 2023)
Gregory Terrace v Brisbane State High School at GT
Anglican Church Grammar School (bye)
Brisbane Grammar School v Ipswich Grammar School at BGS
Nudgee College v Brisbane Boys’ College at NC
Toowoomba Grammar Sschool (bye)