Credit: volleyball.org.au
After a number of tantalising quarterfinal clashes on Coolangatta Beach, the top four men’s and women’s teams have been decided for the Australian Championships ‘Super Sunday’ Finals at Volleyslam 2023.
The quarterfinal crowd favourite went to Gold Coast local Rob Reeves and Matt Abela (VIC) against Wollongong ABVT champions and second seeds Bryce Poland (QLD) and Chris Blake (QLD).
Eighth seeds Reeves and Abela came into the match after going down to the number one seeds Ben Hood (QLD) and Lucas Josefsen (QLD) 2:0 (11-21, 9-21) in the first match of the day, before bouncing back in the Round of 12.
With a new found energy, the duo defeated the defending champions 2:0 (21-17, 26-24).
Reeves said the support of his vocal Coolangatta mates helped bring the team home, to qualify for Sunday’s semis.
“Every point was a show, something happened – a big block or a big swing – nothing was taken for granted, neither team gave away anything, it was brutal, I loved it,” Reeves said.
“This is Coolangatta, this is me, to have the crew here supporting us is unreal.”
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Abela said he was stoked that the team were able to turn around their disappointing start to the day to bring their A-game when it counted.
“We had a shaky opening game to start with but we came back in the Round of 12 and just played ourselves and I was really happy with how we just turned it around,” Abela said.
“It’s our first tournament together… and in our first game this morning, we were just under the pump and both making mistakes that we shouldn’t be. So we had a chat afterwards, figured out what each other needed when we’re under pressure and we absolutely nailed that final game.
“It’s so much fun playing behind Rob, he brings so much energy and we knew Chris and Bryce would bring a lot but at the end of the day it was a lot of fun and such high quality volleyball from both teams.”
Abela and Reeves will play Canberra ABVT champions Mateusz Zieba (POL) and Dani Acconci (ITA) in the semi finals at 9am AEST. Top seeds Hood / Josefsen will face fourth seeds from Victoria Garang Anyang / Justin Schmann also at 9am AEST to determine which colour medal they’ll be fighting for.
In the women’s tournament, eighth seeds Rebecca Ingram (QLD) and Stef Weiler (VIC) have broken their quarterfinal jinx to advance through to their first Super Sunday of the season.
Facing third seeds Caitlin Bettenay…
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