The Junior Volleyball team has made tremendous progress this season, finishing with an outstanding performance at the South Island Championships in Invercargill this week.
Earlier in the term, the boys enjoyed great success at the Otago Champs. Under the leadership of Captain Jonty T, the team competed with confidence. Ezra H and Ben G were dominant through the middle. They were well supported by setter Ethan Z, whose composure and decision making is impressive, particularly as a Year 9 player.
When the team learned that Ezra would be unavailable for the South Island tournament, Dino W and Lyndon M stepped up quickly to fill the gap, and Finlay A was brought in from a social team to provide valuable cover.
The boys made a strong start on Day One at the South Island Tournament, securing excellent wins over STAC and a talented Upwey High School team from Australia. These results earned them a place in the Division 1 Top 8, a fantastic achievement.
Day Two brought both challenge and resilience. After a promising start against Trinity College, the team faced a setback when Ben sprained his ankle before matches against two strong Christchurch schools, Hornby High and Shirley Boys’. The team rallied impressively, with Fletcher H offering crucial support and Toby P and Oscar D-K stepping up as key leaders. Despite the adversity, the boys pushed both Christchurch teams hard and showed outstanding determination.
On the final day, the boys claimed a well-deserved win over Central Southland College. James H continued to make his mark and earned a starting spot in the 5th/6th playoff against season-long rivals, Trinity College. Despite a spirited effort, fatigue from three demanding days took its toll, and the team finished in 6th place, a remarkable result for a squad of Year 9 and 10 students who managed only five practices this term.
A huge thank you goes to team manager, Phillippa Henshaw, whose care and organisation were invaluable throughout the four day tournament. If JMC had a ‘Manager of the Year’ award, she would be a strong contender. Appreciation is also due to Lachie D (Year 12) for his committed coaching and leadership. He has developed into an awesome McGlashan man.
The future looks very bright for this group. Watch out for JMC Junior Volleyball in 2026!
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