Hannan took up the sport five years ago, but said it would be the first time he played in a representative team such as the Phantoms.

He said he was looking forward to stepping up to competing at a top level.

"I expect the Victorian Volleyball League competition to be very tough," he said.

"There are a lot of good players in the league who I haven't seen or played against before so it will be a challenge."

Hannan will step into the Phantoms reserves team on Saturday - a side that is expected to be a finals contender this season.

Hannan said he did not know whether he would play the majority of the season in the reserves or in the division two men's competition.

He said he was convinced to take up volleyball by his friends and quickly grew to love the game. "Back when I first started I was asked by a mate to fill in and I just haven't stopped playing since," he said.

"Now I play as a pass-hitter but I can run through the middle if they need me to.

"I like the team aspect of playing volleyball and just the overall sport of how it's played and how it changes with each game."