Volleyballers up with the play

Marlborough college volleyball teams turned in consistent efforts during the Tasman secondary school tournament staged at Stadium 2000 at the weekend.

Both Marlborough Boys’ College side made strong starts to the two-day annual tournament.

Jared Moli rises high for a spike in the final.

MBC Gold and MBC Blue both topped their pools after play finished on Saturday, then met in the semifinals on Sunday morning.

Gold downed both Waimea A and Nelson College A 3-2 while the Blue team surpassed expectations by beating Nelson B 3-1, Nayland A 3-2 and Waimea B 3-2.

The semifinal went Gold’s way and they moved on to a repeat meeting with Nelson College in the decider on Sunday afternoon.

In a tight encounter which lasted a tad under an hour and a half, the visitors prevailed 26-24, 18-25, 25-18 and 25-16 to take the title.

Gold coach Tamati Te Tua said there was no MVP for his side as they played very well as a team, suggesting it was a great start and just the beginning of the side’s 2021 campaign.

MBC Blue wrapped up fourth place in the tournament which was a superb effort as they were ranked the bottom team.

Marlborough Girls’ College A won their first game against Motueka but had losses to both Waimea A and Garin on Saturday.

The following day they beat Waimea B and Nayland B to come home on a winning note.

Coach Aaron Lyster said his charges had improved from start to finish. He noted it was the first time the team had played together and felt they were going to get stronger as the season went on.

Sylvia Hartland, playing middle was a force at the net while Jenny Tobwara handled the libero’s role very competently.

MGC B came mighty close to a win, losing by two points in five sets across the weekend.

Coaches Amy and Nicky Bain were impressed by their charges as it was the first time this team had played together, half the team coming off the junior tournaments. One of the stand-out players for the B team was Maia Watene who impressed with the quality of her allround play.

Waimea Girls A came from two sets down to beat Nayland A in the girls final.

The teams have a busy few weeks ahead of them as they prepare for nationals at the end of March. MBC Gold, MGC A and B travel to Christchurch this weekend to compete in the Mainland Secondary School Tournament.