Volleyball: Record on block for North teams

Otumoetai College's Jack Boyle powers a spike away during yesterday's action at ASB Arena. Photo/John Borren

North Island boys' and girls' teams are chasing their third consecutive titles at the Trans-Tasman Secondary Schools Volleyball Quadrangular under way at ASB Arena.

The might of the South Island, Queensland and New South Wales are the other combatants in the 21st year of the prestigious tournament hosted by Volleyball Bay of Plenty for the first time.

It has attracted the best school-age players in Australasia to four days of pool play and play-offs that culminate in two New Zealand v Australia test matches on Saturday.

North Island boys' manager and Volleyball Bay of Plenty board member Loren Riddall says the tournament has already been a unique experience for the visiting teams.

"The powhiri that we had on Monday was actually a big hit because a lot of the South Island teams had never had that experience as well as the Australian teams, so they really enjoyed having that little experience of finding out what it is like to be welcomed on to a marae," Riddall said.

"For us, the tournament is quite important because it is one of the few events any New Zealand team can actually win against an Australian team. Most of the time when the teams travel to Australia they only go as far as the quarters.

"We have our hopes high that we are going to make the finals again. We want to make it three in a row.

"We would like this Trans-Tasman Quadrangular to carry on for as long as it possibly can and maybe even bring in other states from Australia."

Bay of Plenty students fill all but two of the places in the North Island boys' team, with a smaller representation in the girls' squad.

The teams to contest the two test matches on Saturday will be selected on form from this week's play, with the girls' test starting at 11am and the boys' event to follow at 1pm.

Today's play-offs action is at 8.30, 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm, with the finals set down for 9am and 11am on Friday.

All games are at ASB Arena, Baypark, with free entry.