Australia earned a spot in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Junior Men’s Championships over the weekend in Canberra, winning the Oceania playoff series 2-1 over the New Zealand U-20 Men's side.
The hosts claimed the opening match 3-1 on Saturday before winning the pivotal second match 3-2 in a five-set thriller.
Monday's third match saw the Poirewa Aotearoa team take a 3-1 win over the hosts.
New Zealand Coach Ben Laing said he was delighted with the application the team showed for their task against the Australian side.
"Overall I couldn't be happier with how this team applied itself to this series," Laing said.
"Not only to the structured international test format, but playing the same team in a three-match series was a new experience for all of us. Adding on top everything that comes with travelling to new and unfamiliar settings required the very best of all involved. Fortunately, this outstanding group of young men were able to look after each other and put our best foot forward each time we stepped out onto the court."
Laing said the margins were fine in the series and the hosts' coaching expertise was a key strength.
"With two very evenly matched teams standing on each side of the court, I must give credit to the quality and wealth of international experience held by the Australian coaching staff. With capped coaches, past national players and ex-Olympians on the sidelines their ability to navigate the knife-edge that is international competition definitely provided them an advantage in such a hard-fought series.
After suffering the disappointment of the five-set loss in the second match, Laing said one of the main highlights of the trip was the way in which the team rallied for the final game of the series.
"Bouncing back from a tough loss the night before, the third match of this series was the last chance our boys had to really put their stamp on the court, and the young men rose to that occasion outstandingly," Laing said.
"We did a great job of executing our game plan; serving specific zones and targets, along with pursuing aggressive offensive options. The biggest highlight in the match for me was the ability to see all members of the 12-player squad contribute positively towards the win - a true team effort!
Laing said the future is bright for a talented group of players - both internationally and domestically.
"The chance to play in such an environment against a truly formidable opponent provided a wealth of development opportunities for our players. Many of the team are either already committed or are actively pursuing chances to play university volleyball across North America, or playing domestically for top club sides. This series will provide a great foundation for success in those endeavours.
"I have no doubt we will see many of these athletes representing the pinnacle of Poirewa Aotearoa for years to come."
Oceania Playoff – Asian Volleyball Confederation Men’s U-20 Championships
June 8-10
Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra
Match 1 – June 8 - Australia 3-1 New Zealand (25-20, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20)
Streaming: click here (AusVolley Youtube)
Match 2 – June 9 - Australia 3-2 New Zealand (25-21, 21-25, 25-14, 23-25, 15-10)
Streaming: click here (AusVolley Youtube)
Match 3 – June 10 - Australia 1-3 New Zealand (25-16, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21)
Streaming: click here (AusVolley Youtube)
