North Harbour Raiders Men and Tauranga Women win NZ Titles!

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North Harbour Raiders men and Tauranga Women had decisive victories in the finals of the Volleyball New Zealand Club Championships. North Harbour defeated Eagles Victoria of Wellington 3-0, while Tauranga defeated Scorpions of Dunedin 3-1.

For Eagles, it was their first final since winning the Mens Championship (named the Eagles Cup) in 1971. For Scorpions, it was their first women’s final.

The Women’s final was highlighted by long rallies with team defending well and keeping the ball flying. For Tauranga, Teina Savage was the dominant spiker making the majority of attacks. Scorpions Captain and New Zealand Captain Debbie Hill played the same role, and led the comeback for Scorpions in the second set.

The game was in the balance after Tauranga won the first set 25-21, Scorpions won the second set 21-25. The third set proved to be decisive as Tauranga was able to make some key plays to towards the end of the third set. The won the third set 25-21, and were able to continue the momentum into the 4^th set to win it 25-16, thus the match 25-21. For Tauranga it was their 2^nd title, with their last being in

North Harbour Raider won the men’s title with a disciplined victory over the surprise finalists Eagles Victoria of Wellington. Led by big blocking and spiking from ex New Zealand captain Grant Bindon, and some superb passing and defence from Pete Baber, North Harbour were able to assert the significant size advantage early in the match. Eagles battled hard with some great spiking from Soanne Vaipulu, and some great scrambled team defence, but were unable to change the flow of key points by North Harbour.

North Harbour won their 5^th title, winning the match 3-0, 25-14, 25-19, 25-20.

MVP in the women’s competition was Teina Savage of Tauranga, and MVP of the Men’s competition was Brad Takai.

In the Premier Competition, Hamilton defeated Sparta B (Auckland) 3-0 in the final, and in the Women’s Competition Manukau-Auckland defeated Titans (Auckland) 3-2.

For full match results, and schedule for the remaining days see below!

 

SATURDAY	9.00AM
Men	Playaz	Defeated	Waitakere	3:1	25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24
	Pioneer	Defeated	Scorpions	3:2	25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10
Women	Sparta	Defeated	Waitakere	3:2	19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-7
	11.00 AM
Men	Shirley	Defeated	Tauranga	3:0	25-21, 25-20, 25-23
	Rongotai	Defeated	Hawks	3:1	25-12, 25-11, 22-25, 25-19
Women	NZIS	Defeated	Hamilton	3:0	25-16, 25-14, 26-24
	Marlb. Redbacks	Defeated	Scorpions B	3:0	25-21, 26-24, 25-15
	12.30PM
Men	Sparta	Defeated	Sth Auckland A	3-0	25-21, 25-22, 25-19
	1.00PM
	Final Prem.M
Women	Nth Harbour	Defeated	Saints	3:2	25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 17-25, 15-13
	Final Prem. W
	Manukau Sth	Defeated	Titans	3:2	25-23,18-25,25-16,20-25,15-8
	3/4th
Women	Final Hons.W
	Scorpions	Lost to	Tauranga	3:1	21-25, 25-21, 21-25, 16-25
Men	Final Hons.M
	Eagles	Lost to	Nth Harbour	0-3	14-25, 19-25, 20-25

 

Premier Division Results                   

30/08/08

Men:

Hamilton def Sparta                                     3:0            25-22, 37-35, 25-21 (FINAL)

South Auckland B def Norths                                       Default (3rd Place)

 

Women:

Manukau Auck. def Titans                            3:2            25-23, 18-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-8 (FINAL)

North Harbour Raiders def Saints  3:2            25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 27-25, 15-13 (3^rd/4^th)

 

 

ENDS

 

For further comment please contact:

 

Pamela Brodie, General Manager Volleyball New Zealand 04 473 9763

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