Volleyball
4 June, 2025
Preparations complete
Two months of selection trials and training have come to an end, as Volleyball Horsham prepares to send four teams into battle at the 2025 Victorian Country Championships to be held in Bendigo this weekend.
Men’s and women’s teams will compete in division one and three at the iconic event for country volleyball with a men’s team looking to improve on a bronze medal from last year and a women’s team looking to go one better on their silver medal.
The two division three teams will take a step back from division two last year, with both teams sending predominantly under 19 teams this year.
Men’s division one team captain Dimitrios Vettos said that despite not having any marquee players this year, the team will go into the tournament with a “nothing to lose” mentality.
“The boys have been training really well and we know we won’t be blasting any teams off the court, but we will certainly make it hard for them.”
“Volleyball Horsham teams are always renowned for their ability to make it hard for the opposition, as we defend strongly, and that is exactly what we plan to do against the likes of Sunraysia, Latrobe Valley and Bendigo.”
Vettos is excited for the opportunity that is being given to his team’s younger players.
“Noah Werry and Oscar Jackman will be playing division one for the first time, and while still young in terms of experience, both boys have been playing their roles really well in training.”
Women’s division one captain Kara Johnson said her team has also trained strongly and will welcome some new faces to division one competition.
“Both Paige Hemley and Ilze Van Zyl have made the final 15 for the age groups at state training, so this tournament will be good for them to continue with their development.”
Johnson said the lead up has been fragmented but is hoping the experience of playing in the past three gold medal matches will stand them in good stead.
“We’ve been hit hard with injuries in the lead up, so we’ve put in place a plan B should we need to use it.”
Men’s division three captain Haidyn Young said his team’s preparations couldn’t be any better.
“The division one boys have given us a lesson in practice matches over the past month, but the young boys have stood up really well and despite losing players, we’ll give it our best shot.”
Women’s division three captain Clare Whyte is optimistic for her team’s chances.
“We have a young team, but one that has had great experience at junior country champs in recent years.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing how we go as like the boys, we have had good practice matches against the division one girls, which we have learnt plenty from.”
The tournament, which is the pinnacle event for country volleyball, will be played at the Red Energy Arena in Bendigo, starts on Saturday, continues on Sunday with qualification matches in the afternoon and concludes on Monday with medal matches.