Revealed: The top performers from the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup
The Australian Volleyball Schools Cup has hit off on the Gold Coast, with the nation’s top talents putting their names up in lights. See who has dazzled.
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The Australian Volleyball Schools Cup has hit off on the Gold Coast across four different venues.
As the decorated tournament celebrates its 40th anniversary, over 5000 players from over 160 different schools will compete in Australia’s largest volleyball event from December 9 to 15
“While the Schools Cup is about more than just results, the tournament has also been a stepping stone for many of our Olympians and Volleyroos, some of whom have returned over the years to coach and I know we’ll see a number of them back this year,” said Volleyball Australia Events Director, Verity Hanka.
This story will be updated daily throughout the tournament.
Discover all the top performers after Tuesday’s action below.
Open Boys Honours
Tom Martin
Billanook College
A versatile player who could quite easily cover any position if asked. Offers a strong arm for back court attack and serve, while also able to take the role of setter. Joins the list for a third year running. Member of the Victorian State team.
Luke Clarke
Billanook College
The captain is a big talker on court who boasts a powerful outside hit. Converted from libero in the past 2 years and suited well to a passhit role. Member of the Victorian State team.
Darcy Blackman
Billanook College
Perhaps on the shorter side of a middle, he makes you for it with elite elevation and blocking hands. Member of the Victorian State team.
Hamilton Vincent
Craigslea
A tall and athletic front court player. Movement across the net and transition from defence to attack is textbook, providing a reliable hitting option and being ready for receive.
Luke Buckman
Craigslea
Hardworking all-round player whose passes are consistent and accurate. He can take second ball like a natural setter and is a true hustler to jeep a rally going.
Riley Palfrey
Craigslea
An absolute wall of a block. His timing is on when getting to his outside and oppo, and recovers quickly to transition for an attack.
Luca Noel
Kew
Fantastic sets that go right where his hitters need them. Boasts a deep serve that is difficult to read.
Fintan Davis
Kew
Tall and athletic, he offers a powerful swing on the outside. Smart decision-maker when assessing the block.
Fergus Taylor
Heathfield
High-energy middle with class blocking and a killer hit. Able to run a variety of hits to switch up the pace and keep the opponent guessing.
Jayden Nykamp
Heathfield
Not the tallest at the net, but offers a damaging hit from outside. Doesn’t force the attack and is smart to tip the ball over if timing is off.
Chris Townsend
Kelvin Grove State College
Tall and athletic opposite hitter who boasts creativity at the net along with his powerful swing.
Luke Matthews
Kelvin Grove State College
Strong middle hitter with a quick recovery and transition for when the ball comes back. Times his blocks well with the outside and opposite and closes the line.
Cohen Taylor
Brighton Secondary College
A vocal outside hitter with an impressive vertical leap. Can bounce the ball and will make you pay for leaving the line open.
Jacob Verrall
Brighton Secondary College
A creative setter with clean hands who can switch up his sets to maintain variety and help showcase his hitters’ skills:
Cooper Strachan
Brighton Secondary College
Consistent server with a mean swing on the outside. Runs with the setter to provide a decoy if not the one hitting. Has the height for front court and agility for back court.
Finley Bennett
Brighton Secondary College
State and nationally identified talent who is arguably the best player on display at this tournament. Plays opposite, boasting the height, agility and overall athleticism of an Olympic prospect. Returns to the list from 2023.
Daniel Svent
Eltham College
Must have springs in his legs. Incredible elevation to hit over blockers hands and able to control his body even when the attack is scattered.
James McDonald
Eltham College
Plays a crucial role in back-court thanks to phenomenal passing, great back court attacks and communication to tie it all together.
Jacob Saill-Dilnot
Eltham College
A left-handed hitter, he’s got an advantage through all three front court hitting lines and is difficult to block as a result.
Thierry Liddell
Kings Christian College
One of three Aussie U20 representatives in the KCC lineup. Liddell is a talented setter whose skill complement his front court hitters. They are in sync, on time and have it all down pat.
Jerome Mak
Kings Christian College
In a miracle return to the game just 16 weeks post-operation to a fix a broken left arm, Mak is a textbook passhit. Represented Australia U20s.
Byron Tolhurst
Kings Christian College
King’s other passhit and also an Aussie rep, Tolhurst returns to the court - and top players list - for a second year in Open Honours. He injured his ankle at a year 11 in 2023 but u back and better than ever.
Open Girls Honours
Tiani Rae
Otumoetai, NZ
Strong front court attack; hitting 11s and 5s depending on the rotation.
Charlie Minshall
Otumoetai, NZ
A talkative libero whose communication on court is key. Passes and sets are equality efficient.
Elissa Stocks
Otumoetai, NZ
Passhit with quick reactions to big hits and stray balls off the blockers’ hands. She’s got a powerful arm for serves
Charlotte Shillington
Penrhos OGH
An elite middle blocker who reads the net incredibly well and is prepared well in advance. She’s tall and a good decision-maker in attack.
Jolie Du Plessis
Penrhos OGH
Boasts a powerful arm at the net and a surprisingly strong serve. Plays a quality front court game as expected but also offers a reliable hitting option from back court.
Tara Jorgensen
Penrhos OGH
Versatile player that switches between setter and passhit. She offers a reliable hitting option, is a blocking wall, and stands out in clutch moments/ under pressure.
Miah Roffey
Heathfield
Intimidating outside hitter was a nasty swing to bounce the ball. Her on-court talk is loud and clear.
Daisy Mabin
St Peters Lutheran
A reliable setter with a soft and clean touch who can play opposite when needed. A communicator and motivator.
Lulu Ingles
St Margaret’s College, NZ
Has all the skills down pat, with accurate passes, clean hands and an incredible swing for both hitting and serves.
Julia Mitchell
St Margaret’s College, NZ
Dangerous float server and quality cover for her blocking line.
Fadziso Madondo
St Margaret’s College, NZ
A textbook libero who puts her body on the line but recovers quickly. Fast reactions across the court and is able to get herself under the ball for accurate passing.
Year 12 Division 1 Girls
Jasmine Pirakis
Brighton Secondary College
Isn’t phased by a difficult pass, and in fact relishes in the challenge. Provides excellent cover for her hitters and boasts a damaging swing herself.
Coco Carthy
Brighton Secondary College
A tenacious and hardworking lib with elite passing. You can trust her to get the ball up and to the setter almost every time.
Chantay Waters
Brighton Secondary College
Boasts a powerful outside hitting option with textbook defence at the net; timing, blocking hands and line cover. Has the kind of “set-spike” chemistry with her setter which is hard to find.
Lafoai Tanuvasa
Woodridge State High School
A tall and imposing figure at the net who isn’t afraid to take on a double block. She calls to her setter loud and clear.
Sara-Kate Ieremia
Woodridge State High School
A high energy go-getter and motivator who hustles hard for every point.
Jazmin Coker
Redlands
A dangerous outside hitter with a great read on her setter. Runs through her movements regardless of if she’s the one to receive the set. Good comms with teammates.
Asa-Rja Foaeva
Capalaba
Imposing middle blocker who gets out to the posts in time to shut down the line and put immense pressure on the opposition hitter. Comes out the better half of a 1-1 joust.
Kaia Tuuta
Mandurah Baptist
Boasts a polished skill set around the court: with top tier passing, hustle and a strong arm to finish off a hard-fought point. Shows true promise to go far in the sport.
Anlea Stockton
Mandurah Baptist
Provides great cover for her hitters, quick on her feet and always ready. Makes the most difficult of passes look effortless.
Casey Czaja
Mandurah Baptist
Hugs the bet perfectly to receive second ball from her passing line and execute a textbook set - to any of her reliable front or back court options.
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Originally published as Revealed: The top performers from the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup
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