MU Renegades Division 1 Men Win Warrnambool 2001
The Warrnambool tournament went off with a bang on the long weekend of March 10-12, 2001.
It was the first official indoor competition for the newly amalgated Melbourne University Renegades Volleyball Club and expectations were high for several of the club's teams. The club's new uniform had been unveiled for the first time at training during the week, and with plenty of new players, there was great enthusiasm throughout the five Renegades sides playing.
This was Gus Cirillo's 24th Warrnambool tournament in a row, and coaching the Division 1 men's team last year was the first time ever that he'd been involved in a team that hadn't won a single match. 2001 would be very, very different. The team had proved their ability with a couple of good scrimmage matches against the Honours team at trainings in the week before Warrnambool. And they were able to carry that good form into the weekend, comfortably winning their first two matches. The third match against UCS Lion Adelaide was a much tougher affair and with errors creeping into their game, they went down 1-2 (70 minute time-limited matches). But that proved to be their only loss of the tournament. Monday morning's grand final saw them again come up against UCS Lion Adelaide who had also made the final in 2000. With Taleni Afatasi banging balls from all over the court, supported by some fantastic defense and setting, the Melbourne Uni Renegades took the title in straight sets. Adding to the victory was a very happy Taleni being awarded the Division 1 MVP for the tournament.
Despite successes at the tournaments late in 2000, the Honours men had had a somewhat disappointing time of it last year. However, with a new coach and several new players, enthusiasm was good and expectations high going in to the weekend. The first match against a depleated Monbulk showed that there had indeed been plenty of improvement within the side as the team came away with an easy 3-0 win. In one of the best draws ever received by a Renegades side, the team only had one more match to play on Saturday, however it was against Preston Falcons, a team that Renegades had never beaten. And despite a close third set (25:27), that record would not change. Whether it was the pressure that players put on themselves to perform or the psychology of playing against Falcons, each player performed below their best and ended the day disappointed. Sunday was much the same - defeating Latrobe University but losing to the tougher competition of South Adelaide and Eastside Hawks. So, despite showing slight improvement, finishing sixth for the weekend showed that the Renegades Honours men's team still has some way to go if they want to challenge for this year's state league title.
The Division 2 men probably had the most changes from last season - a new coach, new setter and four new players in the team travelling to Warrnambool - and the team performed above expectations. A relaxed and enthusiastic side easily accounted for Monash 3-0 in the very first match played by a Melbourne University Renegades Volleyball Club team early on Saturday morning. As the tournament wore on though, tiredness crept in and players began expecting more of each other. Winning 4 and losing 2 matches unfortunately saw them miss out on the grand final by the narrowest of margins (one set percentage). However, MU Renegades outside hitter Adrian Ugoni was announced Division 2 MVP of the tournament.
The Honours women almost didn't enter - just a week before they only had five players available. However, players committed and despite a slow start in their first match on Saturday morning, there was plenty to be pleased about for the weekend. Defeating Monbulk 3-0 on Sunday was probably the team's highlight and has given the players new enthusiasm for the 2001 state league season.
Close matches were the order of the tournament for the MU Renegades Division 1 women, with 2-1 scorelines common. Individual performances were again rewarded with Amy Congo and Julie Makohon placing second and third in the MVP votes.
Finally, mention should be made of Renegades' Sue Mullen playing in Sydney on the weekend for Casey Thunder in the Australian Volleyball League. Congratulations to Sue, along with Shane Wilmann, Heath McGregor and Dean Penny from the Honours men's team who have been chosen to play in the AVL this year.