Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League | Round 2 Preview
The Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League continues this weekend with all six fixtures being played over a marathon Saturday afternoon and evening.
Tickets are still available for all fixtures or sit back and stream all the action LIVE!
SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
Melbourne Vipers v Canberra Heat
State Volleyball Centre, Dandenong VIC
3:00pm AEST | YouTube
2023 Round 2 Results
Women: Heat d Vipers 3:2 (18-15, 18-11, 8-18, 18-15, 17-18)
Men: Vipers d Heat 3:2 (13-18, 18-10, 16-18, 18-9, 18-14)
> Bronze Medal Playoff: Vipers v Heat 3:0 (21-19, 18-8, 18-4)
The opening clashes of Round 2 present some undeniable scenarios – one of the men’s teams will remain undefeated and one of the women’s teams will still be chasing their first win of 2024.
The Heat women were in position to claim four sets against NSW however the Phoenix won the fifth to ensure the Heat didn’t open up a gap at the top of the competition.
The Vipers women were in almost the same scenario, leading 3:1 but unable to win a fourth set against Queensland.
The Melbourne-Canberra men’s showdown could be one of the matches of the rounds as they both look to break their duck.
The Vipers suffered a close lose to the Pirates while the Heat had some soul-searching to do this week after being humbled 5:0 by NSW.
Click here for ticketing information.
NSW Phoenix v Perth Steel
Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park NSW
5:00pm AEST | SBS On Demand
2023 Round 1 Results
Women: Phoenix d Steel 4:1 (18-11, 12-18, 18-14, 18-17, 18-16)
Men: Steel d Phoenix 4:1 (18-9, 18-15, 16-18, 18-10, 18-14)
After the opening round of 2023 you would be forgiven for thinking that the Phoenix Women would be contending for the Super League title and Perth hoping to hang on, but the tables turned shortly after the opening round was done and dusted.
History shows that the Phoenix failed to register another win and Perth went on to take the Super League crown.
Coming into round two, both teams are desperate for their first victory of the season, however their bonus point defeats in the opening round means they are both just one point away from top spot.
On the other hand, the Phoenix and Steel men’s teams are both coming off opening round victories and will be keen to stay front-runners after two weeks.
The Phoenix Men scored just 15 competition points and seven set wins in 2023; after one match they have 11 competition points and a perfect five-from-five set wins from their first game.
Conversely, it took Perth until the 35th and final point of the fifth set to claim victory in round one, however this is a team which is eight-from-eight in the Super League era and many would still count as favourites despite the long road trip.
Click here for ticketing information.
Queensland Pirates v Adelaide Storm
Iona College, Brisbane QLD
7:00pm AEST / 6:30pm AEST | YouTube
2023 Round 3 Results
Women: Pirates d Storm 3:2 (18-10 14-18, 18-7, 17-18, 18-14)
Men: Storm d Pirates 3:2 (18-17, 17-18, 16-18, 18-12, 18-10)
The Pirates and Storm each took a win from their opening round and their losing teams still showed enough to indicate they can go deep into the season.
Both of these women’s teams played Perth in the 2023 Finals Series but were unable to overcome the eventual champions, Adelaide bowing out in the semis before Queensland were outclassed in the Final.
The Storm gained an element of redemption against Perth with victory last week while the Pirates are hoping to hit back following a 3:2 defeat at the hands of Melbourne.
The Pirates’ men scored a victory over the Vipers by the same margin to put their winless 2023 campaign well and truly behind them.
They meet an Adelaide team which will be hungry after coming within a point of turning the tables on Perth following last year’s Final defeat.
