The winning continues... now it's a streak
aka Warrnambool Tournament 2009
It was another big Warrnambool tournament long weekend with Renegades sending 5 teams to compete in the annual Seaside Volleyball Tournament. There was plenty of on court action and success (yay, we love success), and as always when you get 40+ fit, athletic players together for 3 days of volleyball action there's bound to be plenty of off court shenanigans to keep everybody entertained as well, but you'll have to come to training for the details on that...
Despite early fears that the drought may have destroyed a favoured Renegades landmark "The Bouncy Grass was bouncy" according to the sole Renegade who kept the tradition alive (which is a major improvement on "Ow my ankle" from Eric Orton 2 years ago). All the new Renegades were also inducted in the ways of the Dirty Angel on the (now much longer due to camping 10 minutes from the caravan park gate) walk to Whalers.
Some of our on court success involved the Division 1 Men who finished an unlucky 3rd. After losing the first game of the tournament the guys came together really well (particularly the younger team members) and ended the tournament playing excellent volleyball with several people catching the eye of the new honours coach. Unfortunately, with 3 teams sitting at the top of the ladder on 1 loss each they missed out on finals by 1 se, despite having beaten both the 1st and 2nd placed teams. Also counted among their achievements for the weekend was becoming the 1st team to take a game off Warrnambool veterans Spotty Dogs in 3 years.
The Honours Women had a competitive tournament holding their own against all the teams, but unfortunately failed to make a big impression on the ladder. The team featured several new recruits on the court for the first time for Renegades, and it's fair to say they were generating lots of interest both on and off the court.
There was a continuation of last years winning form for the Honours Men, with the team winning their division for the first time since 1990! Under the guidance of new coach Goran Milosovski and with fantastic crowd support (one MH player claimed "the cheersquad got us into the finals" after an epic 1st set against Heidelberg 36-34) the boys went through their round games undefeated. To encounter Monsash Uni in a repeat of last years State League Grand Final. Luckily the script was unchanged and the guys managed to hold their fitness through their 7th match for the weekend, taking victory in the 5th set. There were a lot of great performances from the team, but Sua in particular was a standout and he was rewarded with winning MVP for the division.
Thank you to Gus, Jess, Rosemary, Eric and the coaches who organised the weekend (I can say that sorting 40 shirts in the back of a campervan while driving is no easy feat), and congratulations to all the teams. Now, lets start working toward making the Inaugural Vic State Cup in 4 weeks a big one for Renegades!