After an action-packed weekend at the Inter-Provincial Champs in Wellington, our Volley Ferns wasted no time, boarding a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam to represent Aotearoa at the AVC Nations Cup.
June 7 | vs Kazakhstan
Result: Def 15–25, 23–25, 15–25
There were some impressive rallies and standout performances in this opening match. Liz Hanna was a force through the middle, while Volley Ferns debutant Sophie Young showcased her ability to split the court and pose a threat at the net when front row. It was an exciting game to watch from home, and a great opportunity for our athletes to shake off those first-match nerves. This match also marked Emma Mason’s debut in the black jersey, congratulations!
June 8 | vs Iran
Result: Def 25–23, 16–25, 12–25, 18–25
This match showed real grit from our team, as well as more debut appearances—Chloe Kemble, Brieana Crosbie, and Hayley Flatz all stepped onto the court. Holly Chandler and Emma Mason delivered some powerful swings, while Kyla Te Wano Greensill proved to be a dynamic presence through the middle. A special shoutout to Anaya Cole for her incredible hustle and save in the third set; unreal effort!
In the post-match interview, Head Coach Adam Watson reflected on the team’s strong start, noting their control in the first set. He emphasized the focus now needs to shift to sharpening serve-receive and passing.
Follow along on our social media channels for upcoming livestream links and game highlights as the tournament continues!
