HEIDELBERG Volleyball Club is pinning its hopes on a mix of young blood and old heads as it targets a history-making Warrnambool Seaside Volleyball Tournament title this weekend.
The club’s top division women’s team is aiming for a third consecutive title and if successful, will be the first to achieve the feat in the tournament’s 39-year history.
Club president Jenny Becker said Heidelberg was bringing a full complement for its hit-out against some of the state’s best teams.
She said it was hoping to give the full squad a run to build greater depth ahead of the state league season which kicks off next month.
“We have some of our current and former national and state representatives coming down, so there is a good mix of young blood and old heads, in both our men’s and women’s teams,” she said.
“The Warrnambool tournament is always a good opportunity to have a hit-out before the start of the state league.
“The girls had a disappointing state league season last year. We still played finals but they didn’t do as well as they would have liked.
“They have been training under head coach James Santamaria since January and are ready to get back out there and use this weekend as a step up to the new season.
“And going for the history- making three in a row is extra incentive for them.”
Becker said Heidelberg was hoping to go through the tournament in a clean sweep, but didn’t expect any of the games to be easily won.
“There is always a lot of mutual respect for the other teams and it’s hard to know who will perform well,” she said. “This tournament is generally the first hit-out for the year, so it’s hard to know what to expect with player movements and new recruitment.”
Warrnambool women’s side, the South West Pirates, will play in division two while its male counterparts will play in division three. The Pirates will also field a junior team in women’s division three.
Games will be played from 8am today and tomorrow at the Arc, with finals from 10.30am Monday.
jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au