By David Berry

Volleyball Horsham will send four teams to Bendigo this weekend for the Victorian Country Championships.

To be played at the Red Energy Arena, Volleyball Horsham will be represented in men’s and women’s division one, women’s division two and men’s division three.

Men’s division one coach Tim Carter said this would be the best men’s team to play division one since 2019.

“The majority of the group has been training all season for state league, giving us the thorough preparation needed for a country championship, which will stand us in good stead for the tournament,” he said.

Carter said with the inclusions of Nathan Berry and Cam Robinson, the team would be much stronger.

“Both boys bring great experience and are fit and raring to go,” he said.

Team captain Laelah Robertson said the women’s division one team would also be a much stronger team with the inclusion of experienced players.

“We’ve invited Jesse Lawton from Latrobe Valley to set for us as Kara Johnson battles with a shoulder injury, while Michaela Page brings much needed height and blocking strength to the team,” she said.

“Delaney Bray comes in as the back up setter, while Eadie Garth-Lindsay will be a lot better than last year as she builds her court time through state league.”

Robertson said the increase in teams to five in division one will make the tournament more cut throat than previous years.

“In previous years we played a double round robin, which meant you could rest players throughout the tournament, whereas this year we won’t have that luxury as we will press hard from the start to finish as high as possible,” she said.

Women’s division two captain Ella Van Duren said her team would take benefit from constant training and playing in state league.

“The girls have been improving as each week has gone by. They know the roles they are playing and have learnt so much,” she said.

“Plus with the inclusion of Page Hemley the team will be stronger.”

Team captain Haidyn Young said a young men’s team would be out to continue with its improvement, and by playing in division three, hope to get some wins along the way.

“The group will benefit from the hard competition that state league has been, and our goal is to make the crossovers at least to give us a chance of playing for a medal,” he said.

Young said all four teams at this year’s championships would wear specially designed 50th anniversary tops, with the names of every single Volleyball Horsham country championships members embroided on them.

“Hopefully all of the players will draw inspiration from these famous names and who knows, maybe some will follow in the footsteps of those iconic members who have put Volleyball Horsham on the country championships map,” he said.

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