Volleyball
29 May, 2025
Phantom teams in the mix
“We have been our own worst enemy in most of our losses, as we’ve lost a lot of five-setters to teams we really should have beaten,”Hannan said.
Both teams have banked early wins to sit in second position on their respective ladders, with the men recording six wins from seven games, while the women have seven wins from eight games.
Premier men’s coach Matthew Berry said these early wins for both teams have been important, as both teams are still to settle on their best lineups, and have full availability of all their players, in a positive for them as they head into the back end of the season.
“As is always the case with Phantoms teams, being able to get the best line up on the court throughout the season is a challenge, but we know that come the business end of the season we will be a lot stronger, which will stand us in good stead as we march towards finals,” Berry said.
Premier two women’s captain, Volleyball Horsham’s Laelah Robertson, is thrilled with
how her team is playing, despite the constant change in personnel.
“I’m over the moon with how the team is performing, as we keep things simple and play to the best of our ability,” Robertson said.
“It doesn’t matter who we have in our team, all we ask is that they have a crack and do their best for the team, and that’s what they are doing.”
Phantoms premier one women, featuring Volleyball Horsham’s Tamikah Dockrill and Paige Hemley, are sitting seventh with three wins from seven games.
Captain Kilby Galo said the team has been hit hard with injury and unavailability and are in a race against time in the back half of the season to make finals.
“We’ve dropped three games we should have done better in, but we are determined to bounce back next time we take the court,” Galo said.
Phantoms premier two men, featuring Volleyball Horsham’s Jack Hannan, Tim Carter and Tyler Puls, are also sitting seventh with four wins from eight games.
Hannan, who has been rewarded with the captaincy of the team, said a five-set win against VIP in their most recent game should give the team confidence going forward.
“We have been our own worst enemy in most of our losses, as we’ve lost a lot of five-setters to teams we really should have beaten,”Hannan said.
“Given the premier one men are only going to get stronger towards the back end of the season, which then flows down into the premier two men’s team, hopefully we won’t leave our run too late to figure in finals.”
The State League one men’s team featuring Volleyball Horsham’s Tyler Snowden and Oscar Jackman are another team on the brink of finals, sitting seventh with three wins from seven games.
Snowden who has been a most consistent contributor to the team said this weekend will be vital for his team’s chances going forward.
“La Trobe Uni and Monash Blue are sitting below us on the ladder, so if we are to figure in finals, these two games are must win for us,” Snowden said.
The State League one women with Sophie Quick and Mercedes Arnott, will be looking to, at minimum, split their results this weekend, with a winnable game against Heidelberg, who sit bottom of the ladder winless, and a tough clash against Monash Blue who are on top, undefeated.
The State League two men with Noah Werry, who are three wins from six games and sitting ninth on their ladder, will sit back and cool their heals as they have the bye.