Cross-code rivalry fuelling ACT Lakers’ longing for AVSC gold
Falling short to Gold Coast’s TSS in the Basketball Australia Schools Championship has fuelled Lake Ginninderra’s need to claim back-to-back AVSC gold, with a piece of player real estate at stake.
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One week before 5,500 students arrived on Gold Coast shores for this year’s Australian Volleyball Schools Cup, ACT-based Lake Ginninderra College suffered a 60+ point loss to local rivals The Southport School in the basketball equivalent national championships.
The loss tampered with their chances of a back-to-back senior grade clean sweep, having taken out the honours in 2022.
Though a silver lining has risen for the Lakers’ volleyball academy, who now wish to prove themselves as the better sport this year by doing one better and bringing home gold.
At stake? Bragging rights in the school’s PE department, and the ability to claim real estate of cross-code star Spencer Mulgrave.
Donning jersey No. 8 this week, Musgrave has extended his stay on the Gold Coast an extra week: the only player among their ranks to be represent the Lakers at both national championships.
Coach Andre Borgeaub said taking home gold this week would mean his volleyball academy could fair and squarely claim the young star as their own, and of course give them an upper hand in the work lunchroom.
“For Spencer, selfishly, I want to be able to say he’s a volleyballer rather than a basketball and he’s doing really well.
“In our PE department we’re all keenly watching and supporting each other but I guess missing out on that one puts more pressure on us to try and pick up the slack a bit,” he said.
“It was amazing how they got to the final in a really tough competition.”
There’s a long road before glory can be celebrated however, and if day one is anything to go by, the competition here is just as strong.
The Lakers are fortunate enough to have a similar team to last year, though preparation has been strained as a result of the sheer talent needing to fullfil Australian Volleyball Academy demands.
“For us it’s always difficult,” Borgeaub said.
“We can get some trainings in but not heaps compared to other schools.
“We have four guys out with AVA trainings so it’s hard to come together ... a couple of tournaments in Canberra but that’s it.”
If time has been an issue for the side, they're not quick to show it on court.
The Lakers won both of their day 1 matches: 3-1 against Heathfield High School and 3-1 against Mazenod College.
They will face King’s Christian College and Craigslea State High School on Tuesday December 5 for day 2.
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