Volleyball
11 March, 2025
Phantoms enjoy bright start
Phantoms Volleyball Club, involving ten Volleyball Horsham members, enjoyed a bright start to their 2025 season with pleasing results at the 51st annual Warrnambool Seaside Tournament.
Five teams participated in the event, which was just as much a test of their volleyball skills as it was their physical endurance in the stadium without air conditioning over the weekend, when temperatures in Warrnambool reached the mid-30s outside and higher inside.
The best results came from the division one men’s team, which involved Volleyball Horsham’s Nathan Berry, Clay Heard, and Tyler Puls, and the division two women’s team, which involved Mercedes Arnott. Both teams bow out at the semi-final stage.
In Berry’s case, it was his first serious hit out with his team for the year and his first time back in black and purple for just on eighteen months after a forced hiatus.
“It was great to get back playing at the level again and for a bit of luck we could have made the final. There is a lot of potential in this team with some young players who will impact throughout the season.”
For Volleyball Horsham’s Tyler Snowden and Oscar Jackman it was a huge baptism of fire when they suited up for the men’s honors team, with both boys playing as starting middles.
For Jackman especially it was a case of playing with some of the competition’s elite players who he has looked up to in his brief volleyball career.
“I had to pinch myself when I lined up and had Scott Johnson on my left and Cam Robinson on my right. It was tough going trying to build a connection with the two setters on the fly, but it was a most enjoyable experience.”
Jackman will be remembered for a sensational block he performed when playing against South Adelaide, he scored a point when he blocked the ball with his head, much to the enjoyment of his teammates.
For the girls, Tamikah Dockrill was a solid contributor in her team's fourth placed finish in the Honors division with a one win, three draws and two losses performance.
“The girls were really competitive in every game and while we were slow out of the blocks, which is usually the case with all Phantoms teams at Warrnambool, we finished strongly and by the last two games were playing at a good level.”
Laelah Robertson and Sophie Quick played key roles in their team's fifth placed finish in division one.
For Robertson, who only came out of a moon boot on the Monday prior to the tournament, she was happy just to contribute and get back on the court after a month off.
“I wasn’t going to play much but I felt good enough that I could get through and while there is still room for improvement, I pulled up well after each day and am looking forward to the year.”
Quick, playing with the team for the first time, was a great addition in her role as libero, and she was happy with how she played.
“I was nervous at first, but coach Cori gave me some great feedback throughout the tournament, which enabled me to improve as each game went by. It was good fun too.”
All players will enjoy the week off before returning to training next Tuesday and preparing for the annual Ballarat tournament next weekend.
This tournament will be the final preparation for all teams with the state league commencing on March 29, with a home game at the Red Energy Arena in Bendigo, against who is still the $64 question as all participants in the competition await a much anticipated fixture.