Having survived a sudden death play-off match just to qualify, the Tahunanui Sharks are hoping to improve on last year’s results at the Volleyball New Zealand Club Championships in South Auckland.
There were four Southern Zone spots up for grabs, and the Sharks nabbed the final men’s one, beating the Pioneer Panthers 3-0 in Christchurch last month.
The Nelson indoor volleyball side is seeded 15th of the 16 teams for the nationals, which start in Takanini today.
The Sharks finished 14th in Division1 last year and player-coach Josh Ovsenek wants them to improve on that.
“Our players range in age from 16 to 50. We develop players and then they often head away. We got Elliot Bagnall back from Wellington this year. He’s going well and will captain the team,” Josh says.
The Sharks women, led by Hayley Granger, also snared the final qualifying spot. Like the local men, they are hoping to better their 14th placing in 2025.
