Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Everyone in the Girls Volleyball Program welcomes our 30 new year 7 players and their parents to Upwey Volleyball. We know that you will enjoy your time with us. The parents information evening was held last week in the Presentation space and the players have started regular training. Thanks to Michelle Bateup and Steph Topp for modelling the uniform at the meeting and talking to the parents.
Victorian Premier John Brumby proved a very useful volleyballer as Captain of the Victorian Parliament team in their clash against our Year 9 girls. He seemed to enjoy the match and his time at Upwey High. Mr Brumby happily posed for many after match photos.
Here he joins up with rival captain Michelle Bateup and outside hitter Sophie Ymer for the press.
Upwey Captain Michelle Bateup being interviewed for New Zealand television following our grand final loss to Tauranga
Upwey went down to a strong Tauranga Line up 0-2 in the final of the NZ North Island Championships. We did not produce our best volleyball but were able to lead for most of the first set until being overun at 20 all to finish at 21-25. The second set was not as tight with a strong outside hitter for Tauranga causing a lot of damage but we battled on to go down 17-25,.
The girls have done well, they are tired but happy. Tonight is the social..its amazing how they brighten up for that one....its fine we will look after them...see you tomorrow (Saturday) night at 9.00pm
Bye from NZ for 2008
Friday 10.00 nz Upwey wins tense semi final through grit and determination. 25-20,6-25, 16-14
The stands were packed with chanting fans as Upwey took the court in our semi final showdown with Auckland NO 1 Marewa. With trident playing on court 2 against Tauranga it was possible that an Upwey V Trident dream final could occur.
Both teams met prior to the match determined to be in the Gold Medal Playoff.
Upwey started well in their match racing to a 4-1 lead in the first and maintaining it throughout the set, not comfortable enough to relax but enough to get through. We were playing solidly and our power hitting did not allow the strong islander team to get their attack going with consistency. At the end of the first set we were intent on getting a solid start in the second but it just didn't happen. Unforced errors and lack of talking spread throughout the team and Marewa with support from the stands started to find their main hitters. Sophie Ymer, Belinda Kirby and Lauren Lenko came on and we battled out the set but were certainly on the back foot.
The third set was a nail biter, Trident had lost their match but came to support us with great enthusiasm. We fell behind early and at 1-4 it was not looking good, our play had not improved.
Our setters did a good job getting the ball to our main attackers who backed themselves to hit us to victory...eventually and with our parents in the stands almost unable to breathe we took out the set by the narrowest of margins.. a magnificent effort.
The girls are pumped, we have just had a pool recovery session and a light lunch preparing for the 3.00 final which will be played in front of over 1000 spectators at Petigrew Green Arena.
Thanks for your great support in sending messages. We have been away a long time and will certainly be glad to be home...with that medal.
No matter what transpires the girls have done you proud.
Our parents have done everything possible to help the team this week.
Anna, Mieke, Lesley and Peter are yelling louder than anyone and are supporting the team in every way back at the accom. Much of our success goes to their great positive enthusiasm and caring approach....see you back in Aus.
Thursday. Upwey survived a disasterous defeat in the 2.oo pm match against Hastings to scrape into the final 8 on set difference. The 1-2 result was disappointing given the position the girls had got themselves into and was a match that we should have won.
Belinda Kirby is still ill and unable to play and a calf injury ruled Georgia McKercher out of the game which placed our remaining outside hitters under pressure. With captain Michelle Bateup struggling with migraine the team did well to capture the first set which ensured our progression into the quarter finals. Sophie Ymer and Lauren Lenko battled enthusiastically throughout the game but we were unable to finish off our spirited opposition.
Having come second in our pool this meant a quarter final against undefeated and now tournament favourites Outemoetai who had beaten NO 1 ranked Trident 2-0 earlier. An indepth player meeting was positive with the players pledging to give everything in the 6.00 quarter final
In front of a large and vocal crowd the first set was intense and attacking volleyball with both team going point for point. The standard of the match was extremely high and the spectators packed all vantage points to see the action. Emily Bourke produced some great kills and Stephanie Topp was in good form on both the back court and the front court. Naomi Hargreaves chipped in with some nice outside hitting and Georgia McKercher who had recovered from her injury after treatment was vocal and enthusiastic. Upwey took out the set 26-24,
The second set was a carbon copy of the first in almost every department and it was clear that neither side would give an inch. In the end we went down 24-26. This one was going down to the wire.The third set decider did not disappoint the crowd and although we made 5 first service errors in the set we never gave up taking out the set 15-12
There were wild scenes at courtside as the girls celebrated a memorable victory that secured us a bronze medal at least. We were proud of their efforts particularly after a bad start to the day.
The opposition are staying next to our girls at the Park and both teams were very respectful of each other later in the night discussing what a great game it had been.
Friday at 10.00 am Upwey play the semi final and we are quietly confident that if we can produce the same intensity we can make it to the final. Whatever happens the girls have represented Upwey fantastically and must be congratulated. Even Steph Topp rang home!
(for the first time)
The gold is waiting for us.
Wednesday 4.30 Upwey lost 1-2 to Whakatane in their important last 16 match this afternoon at the Pettigrew Arena. We were able to take the first set in unconvincing fashion but did enough. Patchy serving and a lack of aggression in attack were worrying signs. The second set saw a new line up take out a good lead and at 18-12 it appeared to most that an Aussie win was a formality but a number of unforced errors quickly saw the lead disappear. As news spread throughout the Arena that the Aussies were in trouble the crowd grew and became very vocal. The girls let the set slip fairly meekly 23-25. A return to the original line up did little to dent the enthusiasm of a now pumped up Whakatane outfit who started to produce some match winning form. We could not lift and never looked competitive going down 8-15.
Quite a lot of soul searching and discussion followed the game and the girls acknowledged a sub standard effort and pledged to turn things around in a do or die 7.00 pm match against Te Aroha who had won their first up match 2-0. Lose this and our tournament was basically over.
From the outset of this match it was obvious that a different group of girls had turned up to play. We produced our best performance of the tournament with many fine efforts. Emily Bourke produced some fine winners, Steph Topp worked tirelessly on the front court and consistently defended the floor in defence. Michelle Bateup led from the front and urged her team on. Sabrina Bondini was clever winning many points from unplayable 2nd ball tips which confused our opponents. Steph Bruce, Georgia McKercher and Naomi Hargreaves provided valuable support and also chalked up some impressive winners. Upwey prevailed 25-22, 25-18 to be 1 win 1 loss in the round of 16 and put ourselves back into a good position.
Thursday at 2.00pm nz we play Hastings. Win and we progress, lose and we don't.
Hamilton lost 0-2 to Te Aroha earlier today and if we work hard we have a great chance to chalk up a win and finish on top of our pool.
Thanks for your support and messages, the girls are getting a little tired and will have a good sleep in tomorrow. The weather is perfect 25 every day not a cloud in the sky and we are making good friends. I am sure that they look forward to seeing you on Saturday night.
Wednesday 10.30 NZ
Upwey win fourth match to qualify for final 16 top of pool
Upwey defeated Tauranga B 2-0 25-21,25-23 to progress to the round of 16 and maintaining second seeding but needing to improve overall in skill to challenge for a medal. The match was comfortable for 90% of the time but sloppy serving and unforced errors towards the end of each set allowed our opponents to get close enough to challenge. All players have had one full set in all games and that is a positive to this stage.
A strong kill from 4 late in the first set by Steph Topp secured the 25-21 win. Michelle Bateup continued with unplayable serves in the second set allowing us a run of points which we needed in the end. Georgia McKercher and Naomi Hargreaves made valuable contributions while Steph Bruce proved solid on the back court.
Our next match is in our round robin group of 4 which contains the winner of another group and the two runners up from other groups. We must win at least 2 of these games to progress to the quarter finals,
We play at 4.30 nz then again at 7.00 nz
Upwey open the NZ Nationals with 2 wins.
Match Report.
9.00 am Tuesday NZ
Upwey 2 d Howick 0 25-10, 25-18
A rusty Upwey commenced their NZ campaign with a comfortable win against lowly ranked opponents (33) We opened on court 1 in the lovely Pettigrew Green Arena. We were keen to do the basics well in the early matches. Stef Topp was ill and could not play in this game but did get better in time for our second match. The first set lineup of Bateup, Bondini, Hargreaves, Bruce, Bourke and McKercher worked hard with Ymer coming on front court for Steph Bruce. Blowing away the cobwebs and making a few errors we were clearly a better team and took the first easy. The second set saw Lauren Lenko and Belinda Kirby start for Georgia McKercher and Sabrina Bondini and we struggled to string points together without skill error. Some good serving by Belinda Kirby gave us the points.
Match 2 12.oo nz
Upwey d Long Bay 2.0 25-20, 25-15
Steph Topp was well enough to take the court having shaken off an earlier stomach bug and had an immediate impact. Far from sharp the girls did enough to scramble through the first set. The second was a big improvement with some powerful serving by Michelle Bateup and good setting by Lauren Lenko. Sophie Ymer had a very good set being involved in a lot of points. The next two games are important to us to pass into the final 16 of the tournament and to head our pool. We seem to be working hard to get our play steady. We were watched by Trident. Billie was very vocal...bad Billie...she misses Aus. Next match at 3.30 nz (1.30 Aus)
Match 3 3.30 nz
Upwey d Havelock North 2-0 25-12,25-18,
After a good lunch and some time relaxing back in our rooms a pumped Upwey played some good volleyball on court 1 at Pettigrew Green Arena. Better use of the middle attackers resulted in domination of most of the first set. Steph Topp was in fine form early having fully recovered from illness. The setting was of a high standard with captain Michelle Bateup leading the way. The second set started brilliantly with a new lineup racing out to a 14-2 lead. Belinda Kirby hit two nice winners early. A lack of concentration by the group allowed the opposition a sniff but it was only momentary as we closed out the set.
This puts us through to the final 16 of the tournament. A win against Tauranga B tomorrow will see us go through top of the pool and maintain our 2nd ranking which is very important.
I am having some problems putting the pickies on the site, it is being naughty. The girls are proudly showing the Aussie Flag at every opportunity and singing Men at Work songs. They are happy as they work their way into the tournament. They are eating well and I am sure they miss you...even if they have not taken the time to do so themselves!
Day 5 Left Taupo at 10 this morning and headed east across the mountains to Napier...saw lots of sheep! Made it to Napier to a lovely Tourist Park and settled into the accom. Another shopping trip with lots of bargains...do these girls ever stop shopping. Then to the opening ceremony which was short but good...lots of Haka.
We play at 3 games tomorrow, Tuesday with the first at 9.00 am NZ time.
(7 am Aus) then at 12 nz and at 3.30 nz. We will post results as soon as we can and you should be reading them when you get up.
All still well and happy and looking forward to playing. Very determined to do well. Thanks for the messages...Wendy, Naomi should have rung you by now...Bruces much appreciated messages....come on the rest of you leave us a message....
check out the Zorb photos, Jetboat and Rafting on the Photo page..incredible.
Check out the special page for the tour in the page select (left down the bottom for pickies and stories about our awsome time in NZ)
Way to go Rory Sloane!!!!!!!from all the girls in NZ
Its day 4 and time is flying. We have fitted in a lot of activities and are now relaxing doing some shopping therapy at Lake Taupo. Its beautiful 24 degrees looking across the huge lake to snow capped mountains in the background.
We have already done the following. Sky Bungee in Auckland (frightening)
White Water rafting in Rotorua (challenging and hard work) Sky Swing in Rotorua (maximum screams) Lugeing in Rotorua (Speed demons) Zorbing in Rotorua (incredible fun) Jetboating through the rapids at Lake Taupo (screams, fun, exhilarating) Now we are relaxing at the house in Taupo..girls who have been before will know what we mean..its great.
Parents...your little girls are behaving themselves (except Bad Belinda but thats a given) Everyone is healthy though a little tired. Tonight is a relaxing night ready for our trip to Napier tomorrow where we will settle in for the tournament. I hope they have rung home..we told them to.
Lenko family...your mum is crazy how do you cope? I will let the photos do all the talk and will now fill you in daily as we have internet access from now on....any stories...well what goes on tour stays on tour....except and keep it to yourselves..the mums may have gotten some nice guy fired at Zorbing....more later, and some stories of fairly common behaviour by the mums on the jetboat river banks.
As for the kids well Belinda does a great Indian accent in a phone booth(she can tell you the rest) Naomi and Georgia bought the biggest bag of self mix lollies ever purchased at Pack and Save...2.5 kilos!
For the girls that went last year we met up with Savanah and Hayley..our girls got them to keep saying Steffi with their NZ accents! Way to go Belinda. Peter Bateup and myself are trying to remain sane but its hard work surrounded by 13 women....... talk to you tomorrow..and please leave us some messages on the sight.
powered by
