A SOUTH Australian team featuring an Australian rising star ended Melbourne University's hold on the Seaside Volleyball Tournament honours title on Monday.
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Austral Phoenix, with Australian setter Harrison Peacock playing alongside his brother Cooper at the net, surged to victory in four sets (25-18, 16-25, 25-13, 25-17) over the two-time defending champions at The Arc.
Captain Johan Emery, 24, said he was proud to lead his side to its first victory at the tournament in three years.
"We had a pretty good team this year with a few people coming in from a different clubs," he said.
"It felt good to beat the Renegades. We always have a good time playing them every year and it's always a great game."
"We won in 2016 and the last three years we have been in it and finished third and fourth. So it was nice to get the victory this year."
Emery, who plays in the Australian Volleyball League, said momentum was the key in his side's victory.
"We got momentum at the right time in the last two games and won them quite convincingly," he said.
The Phoenix leader said the side would be eager to return to defend its title in 2020.
The Renegades were also unable to defend their women's honours crown as Monash University stormed to a four-set (28-26, 18-25, 25-9, 25-14) victory over South Adelaide in the final.
However, Melbourne University didn't leave Warrnambool empty handed as it stormed to victories in the women's division one and three.
South West Pirates division one women and division three men failed to progress to the final, finishing third overall.
Tom Beks and Tristan Gibbs tied for third in their grade's most valuable player, while Gabby Lougheed finished equal second in the voting for division one MVP.
Ben Williamson and Maddy Smith claimed the men's and women's honours MVP.
In the other divisions Monash University also took out the men's division one crown, while South Adelaide and The Has Beens stormed home to claim the men's division two and three titles respectively.
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