BACKRangitoto College’s Premier Boys Volleyball team has achieved a monumental victory, clinching the title at the Australian School’s Cup – Indoor Volleyball Nationals on the Gold Coast.
Following a grueling week-long tournament that saw them play 11 intense games, the Rangitoto boys emerged victorious in a hard-fought final against the formidable Lake Ginninderra side from Canberra.
Lake Ginninderra, a powerhouse team featuring players from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), had previously handed Rangitoto a loss in the second-round pool match and had only dropped three sets in ten games en route to the final.
Despite losing the first set, the Rangitoto team demonstrated incredible character and turned the game around dramatically. They won the next three sets, triumphing with a final score of 3-1. The team showcased exceptional defense and an unwavering fighting spirit.
The Premier Girls’ team also performed well, finishing in a highly respectable 4th place overall, having remained unbeaten until the semi-final stage.
A special mention goes to Joschua Schaller, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the entire tournament which is a fantastic and well-deserved honour.
This gold medal is particularly sweet for Joschua. After a challenging year that saw him participate in five National Finals in New Zealand, where he heartbreakingly secured five silver medals, it was a moment of pure triumph to finally stand on the top podium. It was awesome to see him (and the other Year 13 boys) finish their school volleyball journey with a Gold Medal.
Josh flew straight from the Gold Coast back to Germany. The team wishes him all the best in his future endeavors, knowing he leaves behind a legacy of dedication and skill.
This incredible success is a perfect send-off for our graduating Year 13 players who have given so much to the Rangitoto Volleyball programme. We extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes to the following students:
- Boys’ Team: Hwi Ju (Joseph) Cha, Joshua Perks, Zane Lilburn, Joschua Schaller
- Girls’ Team: Alice Bell, Olivia (Libby) Cleaver, Jasmine Rugg, Devyn Golaboski
Your leadership, commitment, and skill have set a high standard, and you will all be greatly missed on and off the court. We wish you every success in your futures.
This outstanding performance from both teams would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of the coaching and management staff. A huge thank you is extended to coaches Johann Timmer, Sam Bell, and Adam Watson as well as managers Josh Bullen and Jamie Sowter who organised the trip to Australia.
