YARRA Ranges and Steve Irwin All Stars are the teams to beat in Warrnambool Volleyball Association’s seaside carnival men’s honours grade today.
Association president Anthony Smith said both visiting sides had won four games last night.
Yarra Ranges last won the men’s honours crown in 2008, while Steve Irwin All Stars have never won the title.
Smith said Yarra Ranges’ women’s honours team was undefeated and was favoured to take out the title.
Yarra Ranges lost the 2012 women’s honours grand final to Heidelberg and last won the grade in 2009.
Smith said South West Pirates’ women’s division two side was the best performed Warrnambool team.
The Pirates side finished with two wins, one draw and three losses, to just miss out on finals.
“The young girls have done well,” he said.
“There are no Warrnambool teams in the grand finals but it has been a weekend for pushing new players.
“There is as much satisfaction in getting new guys in as there is winning a tournament.
“We have blooded approximately eight Warrnambool people.
“We are very positive we are on the rebuild and will get just rewards in a few years’ time.”
Smith said the association invoked its heat policy, which it uses when the temperature soars above 32 degrees, on Saturday.
“It brought on compulsory technical time outs for rehydration purposes to ensure the safety of all players and officials,” he said.
The women’s honours final is at 10.30am and the men’s honours final is at noon.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au
