The Boys are nearly on the plane heading home to their loved ones and another tour ends. Many thanks to all concerned for their efforts and hard work. The coaches (Steve Benson, Dan Higgins), the assistant coaches (Alex Rogers, Steve Rogers, Darren Wilson, Nic Kaiser) and of course, the players themselves. I hope you boys all had a great experience despite all the highs and lows you may have experienced this last week. It’s not too easy (especially ’93’s) to step into a international experience and not go through a huge range of emotions both personally and as a team. You have done your country proud and don’t forget the experiences you had on this tour. You are the elite of this country at this age and we look forward to seeing many of you continue in this sport you love on into the future. Here’s to dreams of reaching your goals and aspirations. Thanks for keeping your parents a little less in pocket but inspired to see what you can achieve!
Paterico
Thailand Junior Championships
’91 Australian Youth Boys v Bangkapi
Match 5 – 28-05-09
AUS lost to BANG 0:3 (22-25, 17-25, 19-25)
AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Bell (2)(QLD), Lowe (4)(AIS/NSW), Clewes (9)(AIS/SA), Simmonds (10)(WA), L. Hill (10)(VIC), Winzar (5)(VIC), Borgeaud (libero)(ACT)
Substitutes: Lillywhite (0)(AIS/WA), Bates (0)(VIC), Peacock (C)(0)(AIS/SA), Cook (2)(QLD), Mercer (2)(AIS/QLD)
Match Report
A much improved Australian outfit took the court in their second quarter-final pool match tonight, with the 0-3 scoreline belying the closeness of the contest between the two teams.
A run of errors to begin the match did little to help the Australian cause at 0-3. However, a timeout had the desired effect, the team responding well with consecutive points to Simmonds. When L. Hill terminated an overpass off Simmonds’ serving and Winzar following up with a kill block, the gap had been closed with Australia trailing 7-8 at the first technical timeout. An even contest through the middle phase of the set, Bell registering a kill block to give Australia a 14-13 lead. Sadly an attack error on transition attack saw the scores level, the Thai’s regaining the lead at the second technical when they created a transition for point opportunity (15-16). Two more blocks to Simmonds kept the scores close, unfortunately two late errors by the Aussies allowing the set to slip from their grasp, 22-25.
The change of ends allowed time to regroup, the team renewing their focus on establishing their quick attack with instant success as Clewes registered consecutive sideout kills. Strong serving prevented the Australians from running their quick attack at this point; and with the outside hitters unable to terminate the ball, their Thai opposition took a stranglehold on the set – entering the first technical with a five point lead. This lead grew as the Australians continued to struggle to terminate the ball on attack, 7-14, until an excellent serving run by Bell, which provided Clewes with an overpass kill, also gave the blockers the chance to perform. Three blocks in as many rallies (one each to Clewes, Mercer and Simmonds) placing the pressure back on their opposition at 14-15. Sadly the Australians faltered amid some strong serving by the Thais, three late reception errors coupled with three attack errors extinguishing any momentum the team had earlier created, 17-25.
The third set began much better for the Australians, siding out initially through Simmonds before creating and converting a transition point through L. Hill. When Lowe registered a service ace, the Australians were sporting a 3-0 lead and looked set to continue their good run. Strong defence by their opposition again hampered sideout attempts, the scoreline reversed to see Bangkapi hold a 6-8 lead at the first technical timeout. The Australian players continued to fight hard, but were unable to take advantage of created opportunities, quickly trailing 10-16 at the second technical. Another strong serve run closed the gap marginally, courtesy of a block to L. Hill and two opponent errors (14-16), but when their opposition refocused they had re-established a commanding lead at 15-20 forcing Australia’s second timeout for the set. While all players continued to fight hard to stay in each rally, two further errors put the set virtually out of reach, 15-22. A block to Winzar the only other highlight for the set, Bangkapi holding on to record a strong victory 19-25.
Despite the scoreline in each set, the Australian team did play much better tonight than previously. It was a stronger opponent on the day that negated the teams’ efficiency in a number of key areas, forcing the Australians to earn every point a number of times. The result of tonights match sees Australia fail to progress to the semi-final stage of the tournament. The team would like to thank the sponsors (Select Tuna) and tournament organisers for all their efforts in what has been an excellent Thailand Junior Championships. The ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team would also like to acknowledge the support of the Australian Volleyball Federation, the volleyball community at large and finally the parents and supporters of each athlete on tour (without whom, such results would not be possible). The ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team will return home on Saturday, the players eager to continue their volleyball journey and share their experiences with local team mates and state representatives in the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships in July.
Statistics
Attack – Team 37% kill 20% error (17%ke) Clewes 46% kill (13) 8% error
Block – Team 15 kills, Simmonds 6 kills, Clewes 3 kills
Passing – Team 1.96 37% perfect 3% error, L. Hill 2.42 (19) 58% perfect 0% error
Serving – Team 1.83 1 ace 3 errors, Clewes 2.00 (11), L. Hill 2.00 (9), Lowe 2.00 (6); Lowe 1 ace
… But the hey, it’s a boat ride!
The ’91’s had an opportunity to shop for all us parents and relatives for that extra suitcase of goodies to bring home to proud parents and family. It was too far to walk and this just so happens to be one way on how to get there!
Word has it that some of your sons may be returning donning new threads after carefully choosing the finest silk for some new garments. Who wants to wear trackpants 24/7 anyhow?
Referees Rob Szydlowski and Shane Clouston were welcome Aussie additions to the 30 strong ‘91 and ‘93 Boys Youth Teams this week, as they attended an International FIVB Referees Course being held in parallel with the Thailand National U21Championships. Don’t they look dapper in their matching blue tops!
Next time you see them on the court in Oz, ask them to explain the new interference at
the net rules……………………they will know.
.
Earlier this evening the ‘91 Junior Men lost to Bangkapi (0-3) 22-25, 17-25, 19-25 to finish their tournament in Bangkok. Both the ‘91 and ‘93 squads fly home tomorrow. See you soon boys!
Thai Institute of Sport (TIS) sport science staff measuring our athletes to gain specific diagnostic information pertaining to growth cycles and spurts.
Today we play Bangkapi at 15.15 local in a must win match if we are to proceed to the semi-finals.
We had great support last night from the ‘93 Boys, led by Assistant Coach Nic Kaiser, who taught them every song and chant in the ACT State Teams Supporters playbook, and them some new ones.
We might not have beaten the locals on the court, but we outclassed them in the stands.
Thailand Junior Championships
’91 Australian Youth Boys v Nokornnon
Match 4 – 27-05-09
AUS lost to NOK 2:3 (16-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 18-20)
AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Peacock (C)(11)(AIS/SA), Lowe (15)(AIS/NSW), Clewes (11)(AIS/SA), Bates (1)(VIC), Mercer (2)(AIS/QLD), Winzar (4)(VIC), Borgeaud (libero)(ACT)
Substitutes: Lillywhite (0)(AIS/WA), Simmonds (1)(WA), Bell (10)(QLD), Cook (1)(QLD), L.Hill (16)(VIC)
Match Report
Playing their first quarter-final round match, the Australian team gave their all, but were unable to overcome their spirited opponents in an epic five set match. In a highly entertaining match in front of a large local crowd (including a very vocal ’93 Australian Youth Boys Team), the ’91 Australian team proved their own worst enemies at times, forced into error as they struggled to terminate the ball on attack.
Despite a highly focussed and intense warmup period, the Australian team was slow off the mark in the first set. Five attack errors prior to the first technical (6-8) really limiting the teams ability to generate momentum. Consecutive sideout kills through Lowe appeared to settle the team down at 8-9, however it was just a façade as three further errors on attack sent the teams into the second technical timeout 11-16. A kill block to Bell soon after he took over the setting duties the only other highlight for the set, a total of 16 combined errors for the set making their job virtually impossible, 16-25.
Sporting a vastly different lineup in the second set, the Australians adjusted quickly to the fast-paced game the Thai team was playing, however still trailed early 5-7. L. Hill took advantage of a transition opportunity to close the gap to one, prior to the technical timeout. Although Clewes successfully sided out on consecutive attempts, the team still gave too many free points to the opposition to have them lead 10-13. Kill blocks to Lowe and Bell showed the signs of what was to come as the team closed marginally at 14-16. A further block each to Bell and Lowe kept the Aussies in with a chance at 21-22. A chance that was taken, as the Australians forced three errors in a row to have their first set point at 24-23. Blocking sub Cook was up to the task, registering a kill block to close out the set, 25-23.
Unfortunately the Australians were unable to take advantage of their newly found momentum, gifting 5 points to their opposition prior to the first technical (4-8). L. Hill helped the team by siding out effectively, as well as providing a kill block; while Bell chipped in with his fourth block for the match. Despite these efforts, the team still trailed 13-16 at the second technical timeout. This lead was increased when the Australians made a further 3 errors, bringing the total to 14 for the set. Australia losing the set 19-25.
Australia looked far more determined in the fourth set, leading 8-6 courtesy of yet another Lowe block. Clewes was duly rewarded for his persistence on attack through the middle when he sided-out twice and then scored a transition kill. Some strong scrambling in the backcourt by Borgeaud provided the team with additional transition opportunities, however the opposition defence was similarly up to the task. Instead the Aussies were forced to rely further on their block to score points – thankfully Lowe and Bell provided another block each, taking their totals to five and six respectively. A service ace each to Winzar and Bell forcing the match to a deciding fifth set, 25-19.
Continuing with their momentum from the previous set, the Australian team was out to an early 5-3 lead when Lowe again kill blocked. Peacock sided-out effectively (playing as opposite) and then scored a service ace to have the teams change ends at 8-4. The Thai’s lifted their defence and made attack kills hard to come by for the Australian team. L. Hill the only Australian attacker able to find the floor. A sizeable lead was still maintained at 12:7, however the Australian team was repeatedly defended and out-attacked by their opposition. The Australians were offered a lifeline at 14-14 when the Thai’s errored on attack to give them their second match point. From this point, each rally lasted several crosses of the net, which delighted the crowd, but frustrated the young Australian team as they were unable to terminate the ball. Despite having five match points, the Australians could not come up with the required winner to take the game. Although the team had done well at playing a relatively error free set, it was two attack errors that closed out the match in favour of the local team, 18-20.
Despite tonights result, the ’91 Australian Youth Boys Team (1 win, 1 loss in the quarter-final round) must now back up to play Bangkapi (2 wins, 0 losses in the quarter-final round) at 1515 local time tomorrow, where a win is essential if they are to proceed to the semi-finals on Friday.
Statistics
Attack – Team 33% kill 25% error (8%ke) Clewes 50% kill (22) 14% error
Block – Team 15 kills, Lowe and Bell 6 kills
Passing – Team 2.24 49% perfect 3% error, L. Hill 2.48 (21) 67% perfect 5% error
Serving – Team 1.84 5 aces 6 errors, Peacock 2.13 (15), Bell 2.00 (15), Clewes 2.00 (14); Bell 2 aces
Best players – Bell
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