Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League Round 1 Wrap
The Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League, is off to an exciting start with every team recording at least one victory in the opening round.
There was also bonus points scored in most matches by either the winning or losing team, highlighting the dynamic nature of scoring only the Super League can bring.
NSW Phoenix v Canberra Heat
Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park NSW
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Women: Heat d Phoenix* 3:2 (18-15, 7-18, 18-9, 18-17, 14-18)
Canberra and NSW were the two women’s teams to miss out on the Super League Finals Series in 2023 but if round one is anything to go by, both teams will be in the frame when the top four is being decided this year.
After the Heat drew an early lead, Phoenix returned fire in a dominant second set before the scorecard pushed back Canberra’s way. The fourth went to a 35th and decided point which Canberra claimed to ensure the win, however NSW took the fifth and actually scored more points during the match than Canberra to carry them to a bonus point.
Men: Phoenix* d Heat 5:0 (18-11, 18-15, 18-11, 18-16, 18-12)
NSW Phoenix won just one match in 2023 and claimed only seven sets in the entire tournament, however that form line was turned on its head with a dominant display at home.
NSW never allowed their visitors into the match, and when they went into the final set with 19 more points than the Heat, a bonus point was on the line.
The Phoenix went on to get the job done, pressing their overall points advantage over 20 get get the maximum 11 points from round one.
Perth Steel v Adelaide Storm
Warwick Stadium, Perth ACT
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Women: Storm d Steel* 3:2 (18-14, 16-18, 18-15, 18-16, 15-18)
With exciting encounters both in their regular season match-up and the 2023 Grand Final, the round one clash between Perth and Adelaide was always going to be highly-anticipated.
The two sides produced a titanic encounter which proved both teams will be forces to be reckoned with in 2024.
No more than four points separated the two sides in any of the five sets, with Adelaide scoring a crucial 3:2 win on the road, however the defending champions did secure a bonus point.
Men: Steel d Storm* 3:2 (18-12, 16-18, 18-16, 14-18, 18-17)
Perth started their title defence with a tight home victory over Adelaide in a match which could have gone either way.
At two sets apiece, Adelaide held two match points before a spike by Tom Heptinstall and a monster block by Ky Landers locked the set up at 17-all. The Steel were able to close out the next point for a nail-biting win at home.
Adelaide still registered five competition points courtesy of their two set victories and finishing just three points behind the Storm in overall match points.
Perth captain Daniel Piggott said that the experience within the defending champions’ lineup meant they never gave up hope of winning.
“We’ve been through it all before together,” he said. “It hasn’t been the best leadup to the season but we’re ready to expect the unexpected and I think that worked in our favour.”
Queensland Pirates v Melbourne Vipers
Iona College, Brisbane QLD
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Women: Vipers d Pirates 3:2 (18-15, 17-18, 18-8, 18-13, 15-18)
In reverse results from their 2023 semi-final clash, Melbourne Vipers were able to take a small slice of redemption with a 3:2 win on the road against Queensland Pirates.
The Vipers had a chance to take an early 2:0 lead however the home side was able to score the crucial 35th point of the second set to tie things up.
Melbourne went up a gear in the third, conceding just eight points, and they carried that momentum into the fourth which they claimed 18-13 to register an unassailable lead.
The Pirates took the fifth and final set by three points, however it was not by a big enough margin to earn an additional bonus point from the match.
“Our team did all that they can,” said Vipers captain and libero Rochelle Sison Lim. “Our goal was to beat them in an away game so really good work from everyone involved.
“We worked so hard from the very, very beginning so definitely excited to see what’s next.”
Men: Pirates d Vipers* 3:2 (15-18, 18-15, 18-17, 11-18, 18-17)
In the second match of the opening round to go right to the wire, Queensland put their 2023 campaign behind them to score a crucial opening round victory.
The Pirates were the only side not to record at least one win in 2023 and that auspicious record was potentially on the line going into the final stages of the match.
After dropping the fourth set by seven points to see the game locked up at 2:2, Queensland regained their composure with the Pirates and Vipers trading points until the final stages.
At 17-all in the final set everything was on the line, however it was the home side which triumphed and has now won nearly half the number of sets they did in their entire 2023 campaign.
“There’s a lot of things to improve on after that game but to get three sets out of the round was really valuable, so a good start to the season,” said Pirates skipper Kieran Ivers.
| WOMEN’S TABLE AFTER ROUND 1 | ||||||
| Team | P | W | L | Sets | Bonus | Points |
| Melbourne Vipers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 0 | 6 |
| Adelaide Storm | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 0 | 6 |
| Canberra Heat | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 0 | 6 |
| NSW Phoenix | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2-3 | 1 | 5 |
| Perth Steel | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2-3 | 1 | 5 |
| Queensland Pirates | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2-3 | 0 | 4 |
| MEN’S TABLE AFTER ROUND 1 | ||||||
| Team | P | W | L | Sets | Bonus | Points |
| NSW Phoenix | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5-0 | 1 | 11 |
| Perth Steel | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 0 | 6 |
| Queensland Pirates | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3-2 | 0 | 6 |
| Melbourne Vipers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2-3 | 1 | 5 |
| Adelaide Storm | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2-3 | 1 | 5 |
| Canberra Heat | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0-5 | 0 | 0 |
