Match 5 – 02-10-09
AUS lost to NZL 2:3 25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 12-15

AUS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Moeller (4), Douglas-Powell (11), Cook (10), Lillywhite (7), L. Hill © (8), Winzar (6), McEwen (libero)
Substitutes: Lowe (6), Bell (1), Clewes (5), Simmonds (2)

The final match of the 2009 ‘Murray Mansfield’ Trans Tasman Cup was played in Auckland tonight in front of a vocal crowd of close to 200. All spectators were treated to a spectacle this evening, as each team dominated play at different stages of the match, the game sent to a thrilling fifth set where New Zealand had the edge to clinch their first series win since 2001.

A determined team stepped onto the court at the beginning of the match and made their intentions clear from the outset, Douglas-Powell and Cook each scoring a kill block in the first two points of the match. This strong start forced the Kiwis into error, a handy 4-0 lead the result. A strong float serve by Moeller caused an overpass which was quickly dispatched by Cook, helping the team to the first technical timeout 8-3. Australia was dominant on sideout for the majority of the set, allowing the opposition a single transition during the next phase as they maintained a three point break at the second technical. A second kill block to Cook pushed the Aussies further in front; however a lapse resulting in three errors allowed the Kiwis back into the set. Consecutive service aces to L. Hill created a much needed buffer at 22-18, the Australians siding out to claim the first set 25-22.

Lillywhite had the Aussie team off to a steady start in the second set with two sideout kills. When Douglas-Powell terminated an overpass from a Winzar serve, Australia held a slender 8-7 lead. The lead was greatly increased during the next phase of the set; Three blocks to Cook as well as an ace to Douglas-Powell, were followed up by a kill block to Lillywhite to enter the second technical 16-11. This strong play continued through to the end of the set, the Kiwis forced to earn every point they scored. A fourth kill block for the set to Cook brought up set point at 24-18, an opposition error handing Australia a 2-0 set lead.

It had been mentioned between sets that the Kiwis would lift and fight during the third set, but their ferocity at the beginning was almost unexpected by the Australian players. The Australian attack powerless as the New Zealanders transitioned at will, while also blocking the Australian outsides twice to lead 0-7. The Aussies managed to close the gap substantially through kills to Winzar and L. Hill, Lowe also having an immediate impact once he was introduced to the attack with consecutive kills as Australia forced a timeout at 12-14. Immediately following the timeout, an overpass kill was marred by a net touch by the Australian attacker, releasing the pressure from the Kiwis. A loss of focus resulting in a further transition kill to New Zealand to enter the second technical 12-16. After this point the Australian side were deflated and failed to capitalise on their earlier momentum, the set closed out in due course 20-25 in New Zealands favour.

The fourth set was quite even early on, a kill to Simmonds keeping Australia close at 5-6. Two attack errors from Australia saw the first technical, 6-8. Moeller tipped on sideout and followed up with a kill block to level it at 10-10, before Douglas-Powell became the scorer of choice with two kills on attack as well as a block to go into the second technical 16-15. The Australian pass faltered as the pressure mounted, an overpass kill to New Zealand on the back of two attack errors against triple blocks seeing the score fly from 19-17 to 19-22. Lowe provided a much needed spark with strong attack off the opposition block, siding out and then scoring two transition kills, the scores level at 22-22. However the Kiwis eventually sided out and then forced two errors to close out the set 22-25.

Once again the fifth set was half over before the Australian team were ready. New Zealand firing on all cylinders to race out to a 2-8 lead. From the change of ends, Australia actually outscored their opposition as they clawed back to within two points, a service ace to Moeller as well as a block to Simmonds aiding the fightback. Australia was made to pay for it’s poor start though, New Zealand holding on to secure their third fifth set win for the series, 12-15.

A hard lesson has been taught throughout the series this year and one which the Australian team will look to learn from ahead of their Asian Junior Championships campaign next year – consistency in actions and across matches is paramount in order to be successful.

The Australian team would like to thank the New Zealand Volleyball Federation as well as the local associations and its volunteers for their organisation and hospitality while touring the country. Thanks to the New Zealand Junior Boys Volleyball team and its support staff for the closely contested matches throughout the series, we look forward to the next time we compete with each other.
Special thanks to Phong Nguyen and the staff at the Australian Volleyball Federation for the countless hours coordinating and preparing the Australian delegation for the tour.
Above all, the team would like to thank the many supporters, families and friends for their contributions (financial and physical) to prepare and enable the athletes to compete in the series this year; without you all, this wouldn’t be possible.

Statistics

Attack – Team 35% kill 24% error (11%ke), Cook 50% kill (8) 0% error, Lowe 46% kill (13) 15% error
Block – Team 18 kills, Cook 6 kills, Moeller 3 kills
Passing – Team 2.02 38% perfect 2% error, McEwen 2.33 (21) 52% perfect 0% error
Serving – Team 1.80 4 aces 9 errors, L. Hill 2.25 (8), Moeller 2.24 (17); L. Hill 2 aces, Bell and Douglas-Powell 1 ace each

Best players – Moeller, Cook