Volleyball: Good show expected

What they lack in star power they more than make up for in team spirit.

Rotorua volleyball club Rotovegas is sending its women's senior team to their first appearance at the national club volleyball championships in Nelson tomorrow.

After performing well against last year's first division national finalists Tauranga and Hamilton in the Midland's League held earlier this year, Rotovegas is seeded 5th in the 10-team second division.

Although the team has struggled to get the services of a regular coach this season, it is looking to key local players Melissa Ruru (a national beach volleyball representative) and Maureen Malcolm (formerly with the first division Hamilton team) to lead its campaign.

Ruru said the squad was made up from a wide range of volleyball enthusiasts.

"I run most of the trainings. We have mums, students and workers so we have to work around everyone's timetables."

Despite being limited with their training times, Ruru said she was confident the team had what it takes to be a threat at the nationals.

"Our team is a mixture of youth, who bring fitness and strength to our team, and mature players who bring experience and we have a group of players who are new to volleyball.

"It's really exciting because the mature help the younger ones and the new guys bring excitement to the team. I think we have a good team who will do well."

Ruru, who has made her name on the national beach volleyball scene, said apart from the obvious difference with the surfaces, there was also a higher intensity level.

"With beach volleyball it complements indoor volleyball. You have four more players so you can get more rest and be more explosive as opposed to beach volleyball which relies on speed and agility."

The team's main challengers are likely to be top Dunedin side Scorpions and the strong Tauranga B team.

The first Division title favourites are Manukau South women, with Auckland club Sparta joint favourites with hosts Nelson Pine in the men's section.