By David Berry

Milestone

Foundation player and former Volleyball Horsham member Cam Robinson achieved a significant milestone for Phantoms when he registered his 150th game last week.

Robinson has been a member of Phantoms since their inception into state league in 2011, playing every year. He is the current captain of the premier men’s team.

Robinson sits second on the all-time list of games played, and barring anything unforeseen will take over at the top by the season’s end.

Horsham

Rangers remain undefeated on top of the Volleyball Horsham A Grade ladder after recording a lucky win against Hellenic Nuggets.

‘Lucky’ was the operative word as if not for a wonderful example of sportsmanship from Nuggets’ Jasper Ponseca, the association would be talking about Hellenic Nuggets inflicting Rangers’ first defeat for the season.

Sitting one set to love down and 23-24, a Jack Hannan spike went sailing into the back wall on the full and no linesmen’s call of touch was forthcoming. Nuggets started to celebrate a great win, only to see Ponseca put his hand up to say ‘yes, the ball did touch my finger’.

That stroke of luck enabled Rangers to take the next two points and win the set to tie the game up at one-set all. They then powered away wining the third set and eventually the match to remain undefeated.

Tsunami jumped into the four with a close win against Phantoms. Alex Baker was in good touch for the winning team, ably supported by Malachy O’Brien and Emily Hannan.

James Johns and Lucas Pumpa steered Stars to a points win against Maccas Malakas in B Grade, recording their first win for the season.

Tayte Wardle and Rhianna Williams were the stars for HTLC Tigers in their close win against Phantoms Blue.

Lakers moved to the top of the table in the women’s competition, with a hard fought win against Heidelberg.

Kayla Kelm, Ella Hogan, Loretta McKinnon and Tayla Eltze combined well together for Lakers despite the efforts of Molly Carter, Scarlett Hand and Annika McDonald for Heidelberg.

Other winners on the night were Tsunami in a highly-entertaining match against Von Steiger Sisters, Ladybugs beat Stars and Phantoms won against Ball Busters.

Anzac Day challenge

All is in readiness for the Volleyball Horsham versus Ararat Anzac Day Lightning Spike challenge.

Ararat will send two men’s teams and two women’s teams into battle against Volleyball Horsham teams in a Lightning Spike fast-format mini-tournament.

Volleyball Horsham’s Laelah Robertson said the Ararat crew had been playing good volleyball and was keen to test its skills against the Horsham teams.

“The men love nothing more than to hit the ball hard, while the girls are very skillful, and like the men, love hitting the ball hard, so the games will be well fought out and close,” she said.

The day will start with an Anzac Remembrance service at 12.45pm, with matches starting at 1pm. A canteen will operate throughout the day with a barbecue tea. Spectators are invited to attend with no charge for admission.

The entire April 24, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire April, 24, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!