Western Heights High School girls’ volleyball team takes bronze at national championships

Western Heights High School’s girls volleyball team won the Division 1 Bronze Final the New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships in Palmerston North. Photo / Supplied

Western Heights High School’s girls’ volleyball team has cemented its place as one of the best in the country after taking third place at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Volleyball Championships.

The team defeated Whakatāne A in the Division 1 Bronze match during the recent tournament in Palmerston North.

In a statement the school said that after placing sixth in 2025, the team entered this year’s championships determined to improve, and four months of dedicated preparation resulted in a performance that exceeded expectations.

The players demonstrated excellent teamwork, mental resilience and determination throughout the event.

Co-captained by Year 13 students Ellah Campbell and Siane Kora-Kouka, the team defeated Whakatāne A three sets to one to claim third place in a tournament that typically attracts more than 200 teams across boys’ and girls’ divisions.

Year 12 player Casey Day was outstanding and earned a place in the event’s tournament team, the school said.

The award was given to the top performing players from the competition which was an impressive achievement given the strong field of competitors.

Coaching staff and supporters played a significant role in the team’s success with head coach Dylan Douglas widely acknowledged for his commitment and leadership in preparing the squad, the school said.

Douglas made a sustained effort to shape this team, and his commitment and hard work were central to their success.

Assistant coaches Nathan Lynch, Shannon Wrigley and Grace Te Are, along with supporters Heidi Te Are and Terri-Ann Fetting contributed important support that helped the team reach its goal.

Rangitoto College defeated St Margaret’s College to win the Girls Division 1 Gold Medal match while Takapuna Grammar School took the Boys’ title, beating Rangitoto College A.

Girls Final Placings:

1st Rangitoto College A

2nd St Margaret’s College

3rd Western Heights A

4th Whakatane High School A

5th Waimea College A

6th Trident High School

7th Westlake Girls’ High School

8th Nayland College

9th Takapuna Grammar School

10th St Andrews College

11th Sacred Heart College (Lower Hutt)

12th Burnside High School

13th Mount Maunganui College

14th Tauranga Girls’

15th Ōtūmoetai College A

16th Mount Albert Grammar School

Boys Final Placings:

1st Takapuna Grammar School

2nd Rangitoto College A

3rd Tauranga Boys’ A

4th Ōtūmoetai College A

5th Hamilton Boys’ High School

6th Nelson College

7th Manurewa High School

8th Hillcrest High School Sport

9th Cashmere High School

10th Aquinas College

11th Waimea College A

12th Hastings Boys’ High School

13th Trident High School

14th Westlake Boys’ High School

15th Spotswood College

16th Garin College

-Content supplied by Western Heights High School