Volleyball
24 April, 2025
Battle of the top two
Second-placed Hellenic Nuggets will be out to bridge the gap on top-of-the-table Phantoms when Volleyball Horsham’s A grade competition resumes tonight after the school holiday break.
Tyler Puls has his team humming along nicely, sitting pretty on top undefeated, while Dimitrios Vettos’ Nuggets are keen to keep in touch with the double chance, knowing full well that if they falter, Heidelberg, Rangers and Tsunami are ready to pounce.
Puls said he was pleased with how his new look team had gelled together quickly.
“Noah Werry is doing a great job setting and he's making good choices with his set distribution, which makes it easier for our hitters to successfully attack,” Puls said.
“Our middles in James Davidson and Tristan Rayes are also doing a great job both in attack and defensively, getting good touches and being smart with their attacks.”
Vettos knows the task ahead won’t be an easy one.
“We’ve struggled to get a consistent seven on the court so far this season, with key players unavailable," he said.
"Kara Johnson is carrying an injury while Loucas Vettos has been on holidays so getting some form of cohesion in our game has been a battle.
“We know the task ahead of us won’t be easy but if we can limit Tyler Puls – especially his famous jump serves – we'll be in with a chance.”
Preceding the battle of the top two will be Nathan Berry’s Heidelberg up against Tyler Snowden’s Tsunami.
Heidelberg captain Berry said he would be hoping for Tory Chapple to be available after working away, while Snowden will welcome back setter Joel Brilliant and libero Tamikah Dockrill.
“We pushed Nuggets all the way last game, and if we have 'Tchapp' available he'll give us the finisher we badly need,” Berry said.
Snowden said his team would be strengthened by the two inclusions.“Joel gives us some much needed blocking strength on the right side while Tamikah plays her libero role to perfection, passing consistently and defending five really well,” he said.