Golden boys: New South Wales U15s claim national volleyball gold medal in Canberra
It’s been 27 long years since the NSW U15s boys reached the peak of volleyball. Now a special group has brought gold back home. We caught up with the side after their incredible nationals run.
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It’s been 27 long years, but the NSW U15s boys own the title of Australia’s best.
The young men conquered all before them at the School Sport Australia Volleyball Championships in Canberra, winning all games and dropping just one set in the process in a dominant display.
Coach Deb Bolton commended her side on how they conducted themselves.
“It’s the first time winning it since 1996, so it’s quite the achievement,” Bolton said.
“We played last year’s winners Queensland first up, and they’d won the last few years. We were a bit worried playing them first, but then decided it might be a good thing.
“They took one set off us, but it was a massive win for us. At that point we knew we could take it out if we continued to play hard.
“We went through every other state without dropping a set.”
That led them to the final against Western Australia, where they were able to continue their convincing form in style.
Bolton said the current crop is a credit to the interest in the sport.
“We knew WA would give us a good run and they did. We won 3-0 but they were hard sets,” she said.
“Volleyball in NSW in getting increasingly more popular and there’s a lot more opportunities for kids to start taking it up.
“Our group had the right mindset and were determined to win. They really worked as a team.”
Amarlin Altanshagai, Andy Zhang, Rohan Kumar and Sebastian Morendi were named in the Australian merit side as a result of their strong play.
The NSW U15s girls finished fourth, and were rewarded with both Eliza Titley and Nina Takahashi being chosen in the Australia merit side.
Young guns: The 22 NSW boys, girls at U15s Volleyball Nationals
As the School Sport Australia U15s Volleyball Championships prepare to get underway in Canberra this weekend, our NSW boys and girls are primed for big showings.
We caught up with the 22 young athletes who will wear the sky blue with pride and look to bring glory home with a huge week ahead.
NSW BOYS
1. Sebastian Morandi Galindo
School: Knox Grammar School
Age: 14
Position: Outside Hitter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball due to both of my parents playing the sport before me. Plus I watched the volleyball anime Haikyuu which I highly recommend.
I love everything about the sport and all of the skills. The power and leadership I can showcase while playing, motivates me to help my team get better.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I am very thrilled to be playing in this national competition because of the competitiveness and rivalry between the states and also because I get to compete against the best players in Australia for our age group. This is an opportunity to show them my talent and hopefully it provides an opportunity to be selected into the All Australian team, which is made up of the best players from each state at this competition. Playing internationally is my goal.
2. Aidan Ly
School: Hurlstone Agricultural College
Age: 15
Position: Outside Hitter
Why he started playing: I originally played basketball but my friends wanted to try a new sport so I started playing at social trainings and found that I really liked it. I love playing volleyball because of the competitiveness as well as the great community built around the sport.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I look forward to beating Queensland who beat us at last years under 15 Youth Volleyball Championships. Coach Deb (Bolton) and Jayden (Young) are both experienced coaches who I hope will guide and help me grow as a player. I also look forward to playing as a team and making lifelong connections.
3. Amarlin Altanshagai
School: Canterbury Boys High School
Age: 15
Position: Setter/Opposite Hitter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball because I watched an anime called Haikyuu and this inspired me to play volleyball with my friends outside. I love playing volleyball because of the thrill I get from it.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I think the team has a fair chance to win in Canberra, even though we started off rocky in our training sessions. We have improved and are ready to play.
4. William Li
School: Knox Grammar School
Age: 14
Position: Outside Hitter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball because my friends peer pressured me into playing it at school but now I do not regret it at all! I love that volleyball allows me to throw my whole body into it and use this power to hit the ball.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I am excited to be able to represent my state in a sport that I love so much, especially after not making the NSW team last year.
5. Jayden Luo
School: Sydney Technical High School
Age: 15
Position: Middle/Opposite Hitter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball when I saw family and friends playing. I love how encouraging the volleyball community is and the way they help you to improve.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play All Schools because I will get another chance to see how much I have improved from last year. I have found the coaching to be one of the most beneficial and most caring experiences I have had in volleyball. I have played with many players on the team before and already know my teammates well.
6. Rohan Kumar
School: The Scots College
Age: 15
Position: Middle/Opposite Hitter
Why he started playing: I wanted to play a sport where my height would be an advantage and a close friend of mine decided to try out as well, so I went with him. I love the thrill, the energy, the fast paced nature, the major teamwork aspect and the opportunity to play for my state.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I’m really excited to be playing in the All Schools team for the second year in a row. We have a fantastic team this year and I am really grateful for the incredible coaching we have received. I am looking forward to hopefully bringing back a medal for NSW.
7. Jonathan Zhang
School: Sydney Boys High School
Age: 15
Position: Setter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball because I thought it was a cool sport and decided to try out for the school team. The thing I love most about volleyball is the energy in the team when we make hype plays.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I’m looking forward to connecting with and getting to know everyone on the team. The coaching so far has been great and I’m excited to see what we can do at the competition.
8. Isaac Neal
School: Ryde Secondary College
Age: 14
Position: Middle
Why he started playing: I got inspired to play volleyball by others in the school and wanting to do something with my lunchtime. I love playing volleyball because of the friends that you make
What he is looking forward to at nationals: This is my first national competition, so I’m excited to have a chance to play the other states.
9. Naoyuki Kawamura
School: Ryde Secondary College
Age: 15
Position: Libero
Why he started playing: I heard my school was strong in volleyball so I checked it out. Watching the defence pick up hard hits fascinated me and got me into volleyball. I love the high intensity of this sport and how you can never let your guard down. On court, I love keeping the ball in play and not letting the ball drop so that my team can connect the ball and get the point.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I am excited to play against the top players from other states. Deb and Jayden are both great coaches, giving the team tips as well as individual feedback. Overall, the team has a positive vibe and gets along well together. We have small arguments here and there but I believe these are important to give players a deeper level of understanding.
10. Andy Zhang
School: Sydney Boys High School
Age: 15
Position: Middle
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball because of the Sydney Boys culture. The thing I love most about volleyball is the various aspects that make up volleyball.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play in Canberra because it’s a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity. The coaching as expected has been top notch and I expect will be the ultimate factor of our success
11. Ethan Gao
School: Baulkham Hills High School
Age: 15
Position: Outside Hitter
Why he started playing: I started playing volleyball when I saw my friends playing after school. I joined in, enjoyed it and decided to continue to pursue it. I love playing as a team because it brings happiness of winning to another level as you achieve it as a group. On court, I love spiking and ramming balls as it’s super satisfying when you win the point and the whole team roars.
What he is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play in Canberra as it’s my first time representing NSW as well as having the opportunity to play in such a long competition against the best in Australia. I love the team, it has such a positive vibe and it is a very good environment. Coach Deb and Jayden are both great coaches, on court, and are also great people off the court. Their coaching has been effective, targeting our weaknesses and moulding a messy team together, making a team worthy to fight for the win at Canberra.
NSW GIRLS
1. Simone Zakarija
School: Ryde Secondary College
Age: 14
Position: Opposite Hitter/Outsider Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball because my friends encouraged me to join the school team. My favourite part about playing volleyball is getting a massive block.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited for nationals because I get to take a week off school to play volleyball.
2. Olivia Zonta
School: St Scholastica’s College
Age: 15
Position: Middle Blocker
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball two years ago because all my friends started to play too.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play at nationals because I love the teamwork involved in volleyball and also getting to miss a week of school to take a trip to Canberra.
3. Tiffany Gao
School: PLC Sydney
Age: 15
Position: Setter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball because I watched Haikyuu. I love playing volleyball because I get to show off my skills.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to challenge myself and to learn from stronger players next week in Canberra.
4. Ella McDonell
School: Albury High school
Age: 13
Position: Outside Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing as both my parents played volleyball. I love that volleyball is a team sport.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m looking forward to the strong competition and making new friends.
5. Julia Ho
School: Tempe High School
Age: 15
Position: Outside Hitter/Opposite Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball when I realised I can’t play soccer. I love all the funny moments that happen in a game of volleyball - like someone getting six packed.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: What I’m most excited for is being able to play with my team as well as spending time together with them off the court. This team will be the first time I’ve played with such talented players. Playing with the team makes me happy and makes volleyball enjoyable.
6. Rachel Luk
School: Cheltenham Girls High School
Age: 15
Position: Outside Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball when I joined an interest group for it in primary school. I love that when playing volleyball, anything can happen in a game.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to see crazy tall athletes when we play nationals in Canberra.
7. Taylah Ngaro-Tau
School: Ryde Secondary College
Age: 15
Position: Middle Blocker
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball after trying it at school and I enjoyed it.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play in Canberra because I like going on trips and hanging out with my team or meeting new people.
8. Nina Takahashi
School: Henry Kendall High school
Age: 13
Position: Setter/Outside Hitter
Why she started playing: I got inspired to play volleyball by a Japanese player - Shiho Yoshimura. I love seeing my hitters score a point from my sets and when the team, coaches and supporters gather on the court when we win a big game.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: Throughout this competition in Canberra I want to build up my stability in games and make good memories.
9.Jiayuan Gu
School: Pymble Ladies College
Age: 15
Position: Middle Blocker
Why she started playing: I wanted to play a sport where I could have a potential advantage and I wanted to play a sport where there would be a lot of teamwork which would be able to bring me the feeling of unity and trust on court. I enjoy the incredible sense of teamwork and the feeling of success whenever we earn a point.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I am excited for the experience of missing school for a whole week to play the sport that I love the most. I am also looking forward to bonding with my teammates.
10. Sherii Zhang
School: North Sydney Girls High School
Age: 15
Position: Outside Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball because I wanted to play another sport alongside basketball. The thing I love most about volleyball is that I get to play with my friends and I get to watch people who are better than me play.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play in Canberra because I think our team is really good, they’re all talented, and really fun to play with.
11. Eliza Titley
School: Ryde Secondary College
Age: 14
Position: Outside Hitter
Why she started playing: I started playing volleyball when I was introduced to it in 2020 and I became very passionate about the game. I love the game, playing in a team and how you make so many friends.
What she is looking forward to at nationals: I’m excited to play in Canberra because I get to experience the School Sport competition, travel with my team and represent NSW.
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