Overview
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE
In 1998 the Australian Volleyball League (AVL) was reintroduced into the competition calendar after a few attempts of running a National League over the years, with the Grand Prix series in the mid 90’s and the NVL in the 80’s.
Officially, only a mens league in the first year, a women's competition was held at the same time. The 1998 season was kicked off on Saturday, April 18, at the Melbourne at the Sports and Aquatic Centre and ran for just four short rounds. There was however, plenty of great volleyball played in that time, with the Australian Institute of Sport defeating Sydney Cedars for the men’s gold medal and a weekly game televised on SBS Television.
The following year saw the introduction of the womens league and it was felt at the time by the Federation that the AVL was an essential ingredient in achieving the long term objective of the sport – to be the number 1 indoor winter sport in this country. The longer season of weekly or fortnightly games, home and away locations provided a better marketing and media opportunities for the sport, something that the week long tradition National Championships did not. It was then decided in 1999 that no Australian Open Championships would be held and the AVL would replace the Championships as the only interstate volleyball competition.
The first few seasons of the league saw it run in the first half of the year, usually anywhere from March to May, with one year the finals being held in July in conjunction with the Australian Junior Volleyball Championships. In 2003 a shift was made to the later part of the year, from September to December, usually after the finals of the State’s own League competitions, and the AVL finals being held the weekend before the start of the Australian Volleyball schools Cup in Melbourne each year.
With the demise of the women’s AIS program in 2005 and the review of womens elite volleyball in Australia, the decision was made to move the womens competition back to being early to mid-year and for the league to be used as the selection ground for the national team each year. The mens league continued on in the later part of the year as it had done since 2003.
The league saw many different competitions formats over its time, with northern and southern conferences, home and away series, single and double round robins and grand prix style series. The number of teams each year also fluctuated as clubs formed; disbanded and reformed, or restrictions were placed on licenses that were bought. It seems that even though the League has run every year since its inception, save for two mens competitions in 2007 and 2011, the competition has never gotten the right combination of factors all together at the same time, to make it the showcase that it could be.
Past Champions
| MENS LEAGUE | WOMENS LEAGUE | |
| 1998 | AIS | AIS |
| 1999 | Sydney Cedars | CIT Canberra Cougars |
| 2000 | Melbourne Falcons | Canberra Cougars |
| 2001 | Melbourne Falcons | Melbourne Falcons |
| 2002 | Melbourne Falcons | Mt Lofty Centacare Rangers |
| 2003 | AIS | Western Australia |
| 2004 | Mt Lofty Rangers | AIS |
| 2005 | AIS | USC Adelaide Lion |
| 2006 | AIS | Mt Lofty Rangers |
| 2007 | AIS* | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
| 2008 | AIS | UTSSU |
| 2009 | AIS | Western Australian Pearls |
| 2010 | University Blues | Western Australian Pearls |
| 2011 | Canberra Heat** | Western Australian Pearls |
| 2012 | AIS | Volleyball Queensland |
| 2013 | QLD Pirates | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
| 2014 | QLD Pirates | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
| 2015 | Canberra Heat | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
| 2016 | QLD Pirates | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
| 2017 | QLD Pirates | Melbourne Monash University Blues |
* The National Volleyball Challenge was held as an alternative to AVL in 2007, with the AIS winning that title.
** In 2011, an alternatively branded V-League competition piloted a home and away format for the Men's competition, which was adopted in 2012.
1998-2007
1998
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 1998
The Australian Volleyball League was established in 1998 to provide a top level competition for Australia's elite volleyball players. Prior to this there was the National Volleyball League in the early 1980's that provided a Club competition along the same principles.
Starting with only 6 men’s teams and 4 women’s teams, the League ran from April to May and consisted of 3 rounds plus finals for the Men and 2 rounds and finals for the Women.
The inaugural AVL teams were as follows;
| WOMEN | MEN |
| Melbourne Falcons Sydney Lions AIS Adelaide Mt Lofty |
Melbourne Falcons Brisbane Pirates Canberra Cobras Adelaide USC Lion AIS Sydney Cedars |
The new competition format was a trialled international format, somewhere between the old side out scoring system and the future rally point scoring system. Rally point scoring was introduced, where a team scored a point of each rally, regardless of who served. Each MATCH consisted of 2 SETS. Each SET consisted of 2 GAMES. Each GAME is played as first to 17 points, with no cap limit. A TIE-BREAK is used to determine a tied GAME or SET, with a GAME TIEBREAK to 7 points (no cap) and a SET TIE-BREAK (for the match) to 13 points (no cap).
The Women's Competition was run as a double round robin competition over two weekends, with the finals being played during Round 3 of the Men's League at Homebush Bay.
Semi-Final 1: Adelaide Mt Lofty Rangers (2) def Sydney Lions (3) 2:0 (17:15, 17:19) (21:19, 17:14)
Semi-Final 2: Australian Institute of Sport (1) def Melbourne Falcons (4) 2:0 (17:15, 17:15) (17:12, 17:9)
Bronze Medal Final: Melbourne Falcons def Sydney Lions 2:0 (9:17, 17:13, 7:5) (17:15, 15:17, 13:11)
Gold Medal Final: Australian Institute of Sport def Adelaide Mt Lofty Rangers 2:0 (17:8, 17:10) (17:10, 17:13)
The Men's competition was also run as a double round robin, but with a majority of the games being worth double points, instead of actually being played. This helped to cut down on travel committments and playing too many games in a weekend for the teams.
Semi-Final 1: Sydney Cedars (3) def Brisbane Pirates (1) 2:1 (17:14, 17:11) (23:25, 16:18) (13:10)
Semi-Final 2: Australian Institute of Sport (4) def Canberra Cobras (2) 2:0 (17:11, 17:13) (17:11, 16:18, 7:5)
Bronze Medal Final: Canberra Cobras def Brisbane Pirates 2:0 (17:15, 17:11) (19:17, 17:14)
Gold Medal Final: Australian Institute of Sport def Sydney Cedars 2:0 (17:13, 17:13) (17:11, 17:14)
Final Placings
| WOMEN | MEN |
|
|
1999
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 1999
Preliminary Matches were played on a cluster basis, with events taking place in Canberra and Melbourne for Women, Canberra and Brisbane for Northern Conference Men, and Melbourne and Adelaide for Southern Conference Men. At each event, the teams involved played each other in a round robin format.
Teams (positions after preliminary rounds):
| MEN | WOMEN | |
| Northern Conference | Southern Conference | |
|
|
|
The Finals Series was held immediately following the National Junior Grand Finals in Canberra in July, so as to capitalise on the number of spectators. The matches were played in knockout format between the top four women’s teams, and crossover knockout format between the four highest placed men’s teams.
FINALS RESULTS:
MEN:
1st Semi: Sydney Cedars def Melbourne Falcons, 3-2
2nd Semi: CIT Canberra Chiefs def Adelaide USC Lion 3-0
Bronze Playoff: Melbourne Falcons def Adelaide USC Lion 3-0
Gold Playoff: Sydney Cedars def CIT Canberra Chiefs 3-2
WOMEN:
1st Semi: Melbourne Falcons def Sydney Flyers 3-2
2ndSemi: CIT Canberra Cougars def Cenovis Adelaide Fury 3-1
Bronze Playoff: Cenovis Adelaide Fury def Sydney Flyers 3-0
Gold Playoff: CIT Canberra Cougars def Melbourne Falcons 3-2
2000
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2000
The 2000 event was played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra with 6 women’s teams and 6 men’s teams representing 5 states and territories. Two conference events were played in Sydney and Melbourne with the finals being played in Canberra after the completion of the National Juniors Championships.
The results of the finals series were as follows.
WOMEN
SEMI-FINALS
Queensland Pirates def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:2 (25:23, 25:21, 21:25, 17:25, 16:14)
Canberra Cougars def Melbourne Falcons 3:2 (25:18, 26:28, 26:28, 25:17, 15:11)
FINAL
Canberra Cougars def Queensland Pirates 3:0 (25:23, 25:19, 25:20)
MEN
SEMI-FINALS
Melbourne Falcons def Sydney Cedars 3:0 (25:22, 25:13, 25:22)
Queensland Pirates def Norwood Bears 3:1 (24:26, 25:22, 25:12, 25:22)
FINAL
Melbourne Falcons def Queensland Pirates 3:2 (25:23, 25:19, 20:25, 22:25, 15:13)
Most Valuable Player (Women) - Tammy Curtis, Canberra Cougars
Most Valuable Player (Men) - Steven Keir, Brisbane Pirates
FINAL PLACINGS
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
2001
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2001
The 2001 event was played in 4 States will 7 Men’s and 7 Women’s teams participating representing 5 States and Territories. Preliminary matches were played as Conference cluster events.
Table after the preliminary matches;
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
The Finals series was held in Melbourne at Veneto Club and the new Eltham Basketball Stadium. All matches were hard fought and show-cased the best available Australian talent. Whilst the crowd during the finals was small the matches were enthusiastically supported especially given the presence of local Club, Melbourne Falcons. The results for the series were as follows.
WOMEN
SEMI-FINALS
Melbourne Falcons def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:2 (26:24, 26:24, 17:25, 19:25, 15:9)
UTS def Canberra Cougars 3:1 (23:25, 25:23, 25:23, 25:21)
BRONZE
Mount Lofty def Canberra Cougars 3:0 (25:15, 25:23, 25:23)
GOLD
Melbourne Falcons def UTS 3:2 (24:26, 13:25, 25:18, 25:21, 15:11)
MEN
SEMI-FINALS
Northern Stars def Norwood Bears 3:0 (25:11, 25:20, 25:20)
Melbourne Falcons def Canberra Chiefs 3:0 (25:23, 25:14, 25:18)
BRONZE
Canberra Chiefs def Norwood Bears 3:2 (24:26, 27:29, 25:22, 25:19, 15:13)
GOLD
Melbourne Falcons def Northern Stars 3:2 (20:25, 25:23, 25:16, 21:25, 15:11)
Most Valuable Player (Women) – Sally Bacon, UTS
Most Valuable Player (Men) – Matt Jones, Melbourne Falcons
2002
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2002
Following feedback from the AVL clubs and other stakeholders after the completion of the 2001 season the 2002 event moved to a new format, the AVL went to a double round robin, home and away series. The expanded season over 9 weeks from March to May had 10 Clubs participating each with a Men’s and Women’s team. This resulted in 30 separate events, all host by the AVL clubs, before the AVL finals which were co-hosted by Melbourne Uni Renegades and the AVF.
Table after preliminary matches;
| Men | Women |
|
|
The Finals series was held in Melbourne at the Melbourne University Sports Centre, Tin Alley, Parkville Campus. All matches were hard fought and show-cased the best available Australian talent. The results for the finals series were as follows.
Women
BRONZE UTS def Sydney Uni Lions 3:0 (25:22, 25:16, 25:22)
GOLD Mt Lofty Centacare Rangers def Melbourne Falcons 3:1 (25:11, 21:25, 25:14, 25:16)
Men
BRONZE Queensland Pirates def USC Adelaide Lion 3:1 (25:21, 25:27, 26:24, 25:19)
GOLD Melbourne Falcons def Canberra Heat 3:2 (25:15, 25:20, 22:25, 20:25, 15:10)
It was also decided to implement an All Star team for both Men and Women but the full lists are not available.
2003
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2003
The 2003 Australian Volleyball League was moved from February to September to fall in line with the international domestic competition season and the end of the state based leagues at the request of Clubs, Member States and other AVL stakeholders.
The competition format of the League was based on a double round robin with teams from each state visiting and competing in a grand prix format, including blockbuster matches between teams from the same state.
The League involved eleven men’s and eleven women’s teams from across Australia, with representation from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.
The Australian Institute of Sport, one of the League’s original teams, re-entered the league for the first time since 1999. The focus for the AIS teams was to provide much wanted competition and development opportunities to Australia’s national youth and junior athletes.
In addition, the 2003 competition also saw the inclusion of Western Australia (Women) for the first time to the League and this team’s debut season culminated in winning the AVL title.
PARTICIPATING CLUBS:
| Men | Women |
| Australian Institute of Sport (ACT) Canberra Heat (ACT) Sydney University Lions (NSW) University of Technology Sydney (NSW) University of Queensland (QLD) Mt. Lofty Ranges (SA) USC Lion Adelaide (SA) Casey Thunder (VIC) Melbourne Falcons (VIC) Melbourne University Renegades (VIC) Monash University (VIC) |
Australian Institute of Sport (ACT) Canberra Heat (ACT) Sydney University Lions (NSW) University of Technology Sydney (NSW) University of Queensland (QLD) Mt. Lofty Ranges (SA) Casey Thunder (VIC) Melbourne Falcons (VIC) Melbourne University Renegades (VIC) Monash University (VIC) Western Australia (WA) |
The League finals were held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to coincide with the opening ceremony of the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. By showcasing the Finals to the 3000 plus spectators in attendance, they were provided with the opportunity to witness the best volleyball in Australia and view firsthand the nature of the elite pathway which they themselves can access in the future.
The final rankings were as follows:
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
2004
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2004
Following the 2003 season the AVL Commission sort the feedback of the AVL Clubs & stakeholders as to how the Australian Volleyball League could be improved to enhance the player, spectator and media appeal of the League.
This resulted in the formation of a 2-year program where Clubs would be granted participation rights for 2 years. This comprised a guarantee that no new Clubs would be introduced during that period. The Clubs then agreed to a single round robin with the hosts to be “reversed” in the 2005 season.
2004 marked the return of TV coverage for the League with the Finals matches being broadcast on SBS from December 2004. This added a new element of professionalism and marketability to the Finals series and will now allow Clubs and the AVF to market the AVL to sponsors and to further activate the media in promotion of Volleyball.
The 11 Clubs (with both a men’s and women’s teams) were from around Australia with representation from Western Australia (their first season as full participants), South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT. The participation of Tasmanian athletes with Melbourne University Renegades made it a truly national league.
PARTICIPATING CLUBS:
• Adelaide USC Lion (Adelaide, SA)
• Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra, ACT)
• Canberra Heat (Canberra, ACT)
• Melbourne Falcons (Melbourne, VIC)
• Melbourne University Renegades (Melbourne, VIC)
• Monash University (Melbourne, VIC)
• Mount Lofty Rangers (Adelaide, SA)
• Sydney University Lions (Sydney, NSW)
• University of Technology Sydney (Sydney, NSW)
• University of Queensland (Brisbane, QLD)
• Western Australia (Perth, WA)
The televised League finals were again held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to coincide with the Vodafone Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. This opportunity to highlight the best of Australia’s indoor volleyballers to the 3000+ Schools Cup participants is part of an ongoing strategy to build a higher profile for our National team and its players.
The final rankings were as follows:
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
2005
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2005
Nineteen teams competed in the 2005 AVL. This season was the final period in which teams entered under preexisting participation rights. The format saw each team play a round-robin in various cities around Australia before the Top 4 went to Melbourne to play in the AVL finals.The medal matches were televised on SBS after the AVL ended.
The Final Standings
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
Results from the Medal matches:
MEN’S
GOLD AIS Def Melbourne Falcons 3:2 (30:32, 25:19, 25:18, 21:25, 19:17)
BRONZE UTS Def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:1 (25:23, 19:25, 25:18, 25:23)
WOMEN’S
GOLD USC Adelaide Lion Def Canberra Heat 3:2 (25:20, 20:25, 26:28, 25:11, 15:7)
BRONZE Melbourne Falcons Def Mt Lofty Rangers 3:2 (18:25, 25:23, 19:25, 25:15, 15:13)
2006
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2006
Ten men’s and nine women’s teams lined up for this year’s competition. The competition was fierce and the theatre of finals once again drove teams to the “next level”. Held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre as the prelude to the 2006 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup, the 2006 AVL Finals were once again a draw card to the AVSC participants and provided a lively backdrop to the finals action which was filmed and televised on SBS TV during December 2006 and January 2007.
The round robin competition reached all corners of the country, visiting Bruce (ACT), Glen Osmond and Morphetville (SA), Darlington, Homebush and Moore Park (NSW), Melbourne City, Clayton, Eltham (VIC), Churchlands (WA) and Cornubia (QLD).
The Mt Lofty Rangers women’s team overcame the season favourites, Kumho Sydney Lions, to claim Gold through sheer determination and consistency. Mt Lofty Rangers def Kumho Sydney Lions 3-0 (25-20, 30-28, 25-19).
The battle of the universities for the Bronze Medal saw UTS Sydney University triumph over the developing University Blues outfit from Melbourne. Both teams improved solidly throughout the season with the Sydney-siders taking the medal from their Victorian counterparts and setting up a bright future of fierce inter-varsity competition. Final score UTS def University Blues 3-2 (21-25, 26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 15-13).
The men’s competition saw the AIS team dominate, but challenged often by the likes of Victorian teams the Melbourne Falcons and University Blues during the round games.
Come finals, the Bronze playoff between Bankstown Sports Cedars and Mt Lofty Rangers was a high and hard hitting affair, however, the Sydney-siders celebrated an AVL Bronze medal victory as Mt Lofty Rangers rued a missed opportunity, however, provided invaluable support to their women’s team in their finals. Final score Bankstown Sports Cedars def Mt Lofty Rangers 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21).
The AIS utilised their height and power in the front court to overcome a passionate and determined home side, Melbourne Falcons for the 2006 AVL Gold Medal and championship trophy. Final score AIS def Melbourne Falcons 3-0 (25-19, 28-26, 25-17).
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
2007
WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2007
2007 saw the introduction of a new format for the Women’s Australian Volleyball League. In order to bring the competition into the player pathway, the AVL was used as a means for developing players for the Volleyball Team Australia Women (VTAW) Program.
The competition consisted of four grand prix-style rounds plus finals, with the competition period held from June – August, as a lead in to the selection of VTAW and their international tours in September 2007.
Forty-two matches were played throughout the duration of the competition in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
The competition was fierce with five teams fighting it out for the honour of AVL Champions; with Melbourne Monash University Blues defeating UTSSU in the final.
Final Placings
1. Melbourne Monash University Blues
2. UTSSU
3. Centacare Adelaide Rangers
4. JMS Volleyball Queensland
5. Volleyball WA
MEN’S NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE 2007
7-9 December 2007
Melbourne, VIC
It was disappointing that the Men’s Australian Volleyball League collapsed in 2007. As a result, the National Volleyball Challenge was quickly organised in order to have a high-level competition that clubs could participate in. A forum was held at the completion of the competition. It covered issues and challenges that face Men’s Volleyball in Australia, with particular attention to those faced by clubs, high performance and elite programs.
The pool play competition was held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre as a showcase event at the 2007 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup. This gave students the opportunity to witness top-level competition from some of the strongest club in the country.
Eight teams from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania competed in the National Volleyball Challenge: AIS, Volleyball WA, Southern Cross Fairhills, Van Diemens, Canberra Heat, University Blues, Volleyball Queensland and UTS/SU.
The AIS took out the Gold Medal against Southern Cross Fairhills in four sets 3:1 (24-26, 27-25, 25-11, 25-17).
Final Placings
1. AIS
2. Southern Cross Fairhills
3. Volleyball Queensland
4. UTS-Sydney Uni
5. University Blues
6. Volleyball WA
7. Canberra Heat
8. Van Diemen’s
2008-Present
2008
WOMENS AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2008
The Australian Volleyball League, Women’s Series 2008 consisted of three grand prix style rounds plus finals, with the competition period held from May – July, as a lead in to the selection of VTAW and their international tours in August and September 2008.
The Australian Volleyball League, Women’s Series is now firmly part of the Women’s pathway to Volleyball Team Australia Women (VTAW),with the competition doubling as the selection of the team.
The 5-team Series travelled to Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, with Finals being held in Sydney. The Gold and Bronze medal matches were played at Sydney University Sports Centre, it seemed the home crowd pushed UTSSU over line in the nail-biting 5 set encounter.
RESULTS
The Gold Medal game was a rematch of the 2007 Grand Final, but this time UTSSU took the coveted Champions Trophy from the Uni Blues, not allowing them back-to-back wins.
Queensland Pirates finished strongly in the Finals matches to progressed up the ladder to third place, after disappointing preliminary rounds.
Final placings were:
1. UTS-Sydney Uni (UTSSU)
2. Uni Blues
3. Queensland Pirates
4. Centacare Adelaide Rangers
5. Volleyball WA
MENS AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2008
With the competition collapsing in 2007, to be replaced by the National Volleyball Challenge, it was a difficult challenge to get the Australian Volleyball League, Men’s Series 2008, up and running. After many goings back and forth between teams and Volleyball Australia, seven teams finally signed up to play in the revamped competition.
The Series was a different format completely, with teams competing in three out of four preliminary rounds, and only the top four teams moving through to the Finals. Rounds were hosted in the following locations:
• Round 1 – Sydney: 10-12 October 2008
• Round 2 - Melbourne: 24-26 October 2008
• Round 3 - Adelaide: 7-9 November 2008
• Round 4 - Brisbane: 28-30 November 2008
• Finals - Melbourne: 6-7 December 2008
RESULTS
The competition was a level playing field with seven teams battling it out to become 2008 AVL Champions. It came down to the results of Round 4, in order to sort out the top four teams, who moved through to the Final Series held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, as a prelude to the Australian Volleyball School’s Cup Opening Ceremony. UTSSU scraped through on ratios over Western Australia.
The Semi-Finals were a hard-fought affair with both games being pushed to four sets. The winners, AIS and Queensland Pirates, set themselves up for a Gold Medal showdown. There was standing room only in the stadium.
Final placings were:
1. AIS
2. Queensland Pirates
3. Melbourne Monash Uni Blues
4. UTS – Sydney Uni
5. Volleyball WA
6. Volleyball SA
7. Canberra Heat
2009
WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2009
The Women’s Australia Volleyball League – 2009 Series saw a changing of the guard,as habitual strong performers UTS-Sydney Uni finished well down the ladder.
The League expanded to six teams, with Canberra Heat re-entering the competition, after a two-year absence. Former Australian and Olympic Representative, Priscilla Ruddle, led a young Canberra side, who show promise for future years.
The athletes put everything on the line, as the Series doubles as the selection pathway for the Volleyball Team Australia Women (VTAW). This year’s Rounds were hosted inthe following locations:
• Round 1 – Sydney: 8-9 May 2009
• Round 2 – Adelaide: 23-24 May 2009
• Round 3 – Perth: 13-14 June 2009
• Round 4 – Melbourne: 27-28 June 2009
• Finals – Melbourne: 25-26 June 2009
RESULTS
The Gold Medal game between perennial Grand Finalists, Uni Blues, and season standouts, WA Pearls, was hard-fought battle of big blocks and big hits. The WA Pearls claimed the Champions title, finishing the season with an unbeaten record; 12wins, no losses. QAS Pirates were overpowered by South Australia in the playoff for the bronze medal.
Final Placings
1. WA Pearls
2. Uni Blues
3. Volleyball SA
4. QAS Pirates
5. UTS- Sydney Uni
6. Canberra Heat
MEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2009
After having seven teams in the re-vamped 2008 season, the Men’s AVL struggled to field the seventh team this year, usual South Australian representatives, Mt Lofty Rangers, were unable to pull a team together, even a last ditch effort from Volleyball South Australia proved to be in vain.
With only six teams competing for the AVL Championship, the number of rounds was reduced to keep travel costs to a minimum. Each team played in all three rounds, with the top four teams going through to Finals, which were held in Melbourne, as a prelude to the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup Opening Ceremony. Rounds were hosted in the following locations:
• Round 1 – Brisbane: 16-18 October 2009
• Round 2 - Canberra: 30 October- 1 November 2009
• Round 3 - Perth: 13-15 November 2009
• Finals - Melbourne: 5-6 December 2009
The round in Canberra was held in conjunction with a National Referee Forum, the Annual General Meeting and the VA Annual Awards Dinner.
RESULTS
The final three places in the top four came down to the last game of the preliminary rounds. Rectifying an error in the calculations of ratios forced Uni Blues to be ousted for UTSSU and the WA Hornets. The Hornets made their first Final Series since coming into the competition in 2005. Their first foray was a successful one, by taking home the bronze medal, against UTSSU. The AIS extended the winning record to six Championships out of seven Grand Final appearances, beating the QAS Pirates for the second year running.
Final Placings
1. AIS
2. QAS Pirates
3. WA Hornets
4. UTS-Sydney Uni
5. Uni Blues
6. Canberra Heat
2010
WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2010
The Women’s Australia Volleyball League for 2010 saw the WA Pearls go through the series undefeated to take out their second successive WAVL title.
The athletes put everything on the line, as the Series doubles as the selection pathway for the Volleyball Team Australia Women (VTAW). This year’s Rounds were hosted in the following locations:
• Round 1 – Canberra: 4-6 June 2010
• Round 2 – Sydney: 18-20 June 2010
• Round 3 – Perth: 2-4 July 2010
• Finals – Melbourne: 24-25 July 2010
The RESULTS
The WA Pearls went through the 2009 series undefeated and they continued their great form in 2010 going through undefeated once more, thus giving them their 24th straight win in Women’s AVL matches. WA dominated each round throughout the series and were always going to be tough to beat in the Finals being the best attacking and also best serving team. WA defeated Uni Blues in four sets in the Gold Medal Match. UTS- Sydney Uni were victorious over Volleyball SA in the Bronze medal match. Tied on competition points, set ratio was the determining factor separating QAS Pirates and Canberra Heat for 5th and 6th spot.
Final placing’s were:
1. WA Pearls
2. Uni Blues
3. UTS- Sydney Uni
4. Volleyball SA
5. QAS Pirates
6. Canberra Heat
MEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2010
2010 Men’s AVL saw 5 teams competing over 2 rounds and finals. Again, Queensland did not support the timing and format of the League and South Australia were unable to field a team. Each team played in both rounds, with the top four teams going through to Finals, which were held in Melbourne, as a prelude to the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup Opening Ceremony.
Rounds were hosted in the following locations:
• Round 1 Sydney 15-17 October 2010
• Round 2 Melbourne 29 October- 31 October 2010
• Finals Melbourne 4-5 December 2010
The RESULTS
After finishing top of the ladder following a win in the last round match it looked as though the AIS would continue their dominance of the AVL title, but they were unable to overcome the Uni Blues in this year’s final, with Uni Blues taking the AVL title with a 3 sets to 1 victory. The Canberra Heat took out the Bronze medal with a hard-fought straight sets victory over UTS Sydney Uni. MVP was awarded to Lincoln Williams (AIS), with coaches voting 3, 2, and 1 after each match.
The final placing’s were:
1. Uni Blues
2. AIS
3. Canberra Heat
4. UTS-Sydney Uni
5. WA Hornets
2011
WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2011
The Women’s Australia Volleyball League for 2011 saw the South Australia finish the series on top of the ladder, although crashing out in the Gold Medal match against the WA Pearls, giving them their third consecutive WAVL title.
The athletes put everything on the line, as the Series doubles as the selection pathway for the Volleyball Team Australia Women (VTAW). This year’s Rounds were hosted in the following locations:
• Round 1 – Melbourne: 1-3 July 2011
• Round 2 – Adelaide: 22-24 July 2011
• Finals – Perth: 20-21 August 2011
The RESULTS
WA’s road to the title was not without its tough times, winning a hard-fought 5 set match against UTSSU in the Preliminary Final, and then taking on the University Blues in the first Semi-Final, coming from 2 sets to 1 down and fighting back to progress to the final 17-15 in the fifth set.
The Gold Medal match saw the WA Pearls square up against the form team of the competition, South Australia. The Pearl’s experience in big matches shone through as they clinched the Gold Medal match with an emphatic straight sets victory to bring home the silverware for the 3rd successive time, a feat never before matched in the history of Women’s AVL.
In the Bronze medal match, the Uni Blues overcame a third set fight back from UTSSU to take out the bronze medal in 4 sets, 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20).
Final placing for the 2011 Women’s AVL were:
1. WA Pearls
2. South Australia
3. Uni Blues
4. UTTSU
5. Canberra Heat
This year saw a change in awarding a MVP for the League, with an All Star Seven team being selected instead. The players selected into the team for 2011 were Jenny Day (WA Pearls), Stacey Naismith (South Australia), Tara West (WA Pearls), Tarsha Praski (Uni Blues), Fleur Holmes (WA Pearls), Anna Maycock (South Australia), and Sarah Choat (South Australia).
MEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2011
The 2011 AVL season was conducted under the V-League brand with a new home and away format (8 Oct - 3 Dec). This format was then formally adopted in 2012. 2011 also saw the introdution of a second NSW team who secured a bronze medal in the first year in the league, and the return of Ben Hardy to play at home. The finals we held at the AIS in Canberra on 2 and 3 December which saw two great five-set games. NSW defeated AIS 3:2 (22-25, 25-19, 27-25, 17-25, 16-14) to secure the bronze medal and Canberra Heat defeated Victoria 3:2 (21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11) for the national championship.
The final placings for the 2011 Men's league were:
1. Canberra Heat
2. Victoria
3. NSW
4. AIS
5. WA Hornets
6. University Blues
7. UTSSU
The 2011 Men's All Stars were:
Most Valuable Player: Ben Hardy, Canberra Heat
Best Server: Artem Ipatyev, UTSSU
Best Passer: Ben Hardy, Canberra Heat
Best Setter: Damian Whitburn, Victoria
Best Spiker: Lincoln Williams, AIS
Best Blocker: Jonathon Morley, Victoria
Best Defender: Eric Schrieber, Uni Blues
2012
WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2012
The 2012 Women’s AVL saw seven teams battle it out throughout the series to take the top position. The series consisted of two rounds plus the finals which were held in WA. Below are the locations for each of the rounds:
• Round 1 – State Volleyball Centre, Melbourne: 8-9 July 2012
• Round 2 – AIS Volleyball Courts, Canberra: 3-5 August 2012
• Finals – Curtin Stadium Perth: 10-12 August 2012
Thank you to all the host teams and states as well as a big thank you to all referees and volunteers who helped throughout series.
The RESULTS
Queensland showed fantastic form throughout the series however their road wasn’t all smooth sailing having to endure some tough matches pulling through in four sets against most teams. There were some doubts as to whether they would take out the championship when South Australia took out the first set in the semi-finals. However they fought back and won convincingly (22-25, 25-23, 2519, 25-22). Victoria also fought hard against the WA Pearls in the semi-finals in four sets losing the third but managing to pull through in the end taking it out (25-13, 25-10, 21-25, 25-19).
The gold medal match saw rivals Queensland and Victoria play a tight 4 setter to determine the winner of the championship. Queensland battled through after losing the second set and winning the third in 28 to take out the top spot (25-21, 22-25, 28-26, 25-12). Victoria took out second place followed by WA and SA. Final placing’s for the 2012 Women’s AVL were:
1. QLD
2. Victoria
3. WA
4. SA
5. UTSSU
6. Canberra Heat
7. University Blues
Congratulations also to Rachel Rourke (QLD), Rhiannon Watt (VIC), Tarsha Praski (VIC), Katerina Osadchuk (QLD), Louise Bates (VIC), Jenny Day (WA) and Sarah Choat (SA)for being named as the 2012 Women’s AVL All Star Seven team.
MEN’S AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2012
The 2012 Men’s AVL saw nine teams compete across eight rounds including the finals which were held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria. The series began at the beginning of October, with most rounds held in three different locations across the country. Fantastic volleyball was played in the following locations:
• Round 1, 6-7 October Melbourne | Brisbane | Sydney
• Round 2, 13-14 October Adelaide | Melbourne | Perth
• Round 3, 20-21 October Canberra| Victoria
• Round 4, 27-28 October Brisbane | Adelaide | Sydney
• Round 5, 3-4 November Canberra | Sydney | Adelaide
• Round 6, 10-11 November Melbourne | Perth | Brisbane
• Round 7, 17-18 November Canberra | Sydney | Perth
• Finals 8-9 December Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Victoria
Thank you to those teams and States that hosted a round, to the referees who officiated throughout the Series and to any volunteers that assisted with the running of the competition.
The RESULTS
Fierce competition and rivalry saw Victoria, NSW, QLD and the AIS head into the finals in Melbourne. Victoria ranked number 1 heading into the semi-finals was the favourite to take out the championship, however when playing against the AIS they got thrashed in an unexpected quick three setter (25-21, 25-18, 25-19), followed by another convincing win for QLD against NSW (25-29, 25-16, 25-14). With the AIS and QLD making it through to the finals, the match was set to be an epic encounter. As expected the match was a five set rollercoaster which saw AIS victorious in the end taking out the first two sets, dropping the third and fourth and smashing QLD in the fifth (26-24, 25-26, 20-25, 15-25, 15-7). AIS were crowned champions for 2012 and were well deserved winners. The following are the rankings for the placing of teams for the series:
1. AIS
2. QLD
3. VIC
4. NSW
5. Canberra Heat
6. SA Wolves
7. UTSSU
8. WA Hornets
9. University Blues
Congratulations also to Steve Wallace (VIC), Cedric Legrand (VIC), Jacob Guymer (AIS), Andrew Grant (QLD), Greg Sukochev (AIS), Andrew Maclean (QLD) and Luke Perry (AIS) for being named as the 2012 Men’s AVL All Star Seven team.
2013
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2013
The 2013 AVL saw the men’s and women’s divisions merged together in a home and away format. The season consisted of thirteen teams, 7 men and 6 women. The series consisted of seven rounds plus the finals which were held in Victoria during the opening of AVSC.
Pre-tournament favourites, the Queensland Pirates wore down the Canberra Heat to win the 2013 men’s Australian Volleyball League gold medal. After dropping just the one match all year, the Pirates were at unbackable odds to win the grand final. But a gallant Heat, led by former Australian captain Ben Hardy, threw everything at the Queenslanders in the opening set. The Canberra Heat fired up in the second set to bring the match to 1 set all. The third set the lead again fluctuated, until Canberra snuck out to hold three set points. But they were unable to close the deal, with Queensland showing the resolve that has made them the best team in Australia this year to win the set 26-24. Eventually it was the Pirates who prevailed, taking the match 29-27, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21.
Victoria’s Uni Blues scored a major upset, beating the highly fancied WA Pearls to secure the 2013 women’s Australian Volleyball League title. The Victorian team blew the WA Pearls off the court in an aggressive opening set, 25-17. The second set was far more even, with the pearls securing the set to get back in the match. Uni Blues steadied late, and held three set points before Pearls skipper Jennifer Day snatched the set back.
The Uni Blues eventually won in four sets, 25-17, 24-26, 26-24, 25-17.
The Pearls came into this weekend having dropped just one match during the home-and-away season.
Earlier in the day the Victorian Volleyball Academy won the women’s bronze medal, beating the Queensland Pirates in straight sets, while the AIS finished third in the men’s defeating the Victorian Volleyball Academy.
MEN
| Ranking | Team |
All Star Seven Shane Alexander (QLD Pirates) Andrew Maclean (QLD Pirates) Ben Hardy (Canberra Heat) Nehemiah Mote (AIS) John Dekker (QLD Pirates) Cedric Legrand (VVA) Jordan Power (Canberra Heat) |
|
| 1 | Queensland Pirates | ||
| 2 | Canberra Heat | ||
| 3 | AIS | ||
| 4 | VVA | ||
| 5 | Hornets (WA) | ||
| 6 | UTSSU | ||
| 7 | UNI Blues |
WOMEN
| Ranking | Team |
All Star Seven Tara West (WA) Sophie Godfrey (WA) Shae Sloane (Uni Blues) Jess Ryder (QLD Pirates) Kathryn Chen (Uni Blues) Tarsha Praski (VVA) Jen Day (WA) |
|
| 1 | Uni Blues | ||
| 2 | WA Pearls | ||
| 3 | VVA | ||
| 4 | Queensland Pirates | ||
| 5 | UTSSU | ||
| 6 | Canberra Heat |
2014
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2014
The 2014 AVL once again saw the men’s and women’s divisions merged together in a home and away format. The season consisted of thirteen teams, 7 men and 6 women. The series consisted of seven rounds plus the finals which were held in VIC during the opening of AVSC.
The RESULTS
Victoria’s University Blues women’s volleyball team has staged a remarkable comeback to win the Australian Volleyball League title for a second year in succession.
The defending champions were down two sets to love and 13-17 in the third before fighting back to beat Sydney’s UTSSU in five sets.
The final score was 25-27, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-13.
Staring at a straight sets loss, Uni Blues coach Shannon Winzer took a gamble and rested her two main strike players, Rebecca Walter and Hannah Martin, a move that upset the balance of the Sydney team.
In the men’s final, defending champions, the Queensland Pirates, also made it back-to-back titles with a four-set win against Canberra Heat.
Canberra had dominated the men’s regular season, losing just the one match, but came into this weekend without star players Travis Passier and Simon Hone.
The opening set was a real arm wrestle, with Queensland eventually triumphing 28-26. The Pirates raced out of the blocks in the second, taking the set 25-13, before Canberra took the third set 25-20.
The final set went point-for-point until late, when Queensland stepped up the pressure to notch a 25-19 and three sets to one victory. Final scores: Qld d ACT 28-26, 25-13, 20-25, 25-19.
Final placing’s for the 2014 AVL were:
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
|
Congratulations also to the All-Star athletes:
| WOMEN | MEN |
|
|
|
2015
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2015
Canberra Heat has pulled off a stunning upset to beat the Queensland Pirates 3-0 in the men's Australian Volleyball League final in Melbourne.
And Victoria’s Uni Blues team survived a major scare to win their third women’s title.
The Pirates sorely missed star player, William Savea, who injured an ankle in Saturday's semi-finals, but there could be no stopping the rampant Canberra Heat in the men’s final.
After taking the first set 25-22, the two teams locked into a desperate arm-wrestle in the second set, before Canberra finally fell over the line 39-37.
With exhaustion starting to take over, Canberra managed to hold their nerve to take out the third set 25-21.
The win brings to an end an extraordinary run by the Queensland Pirates, who were chasing their third consecutive national title and had been undefeated all season.
Adelaide beat Western Australia in the bronze medal match.
The Uni Blues started the shortest of short priced favourites to win the women’s final after completely dominating the 2015 season.
But the UTSSU team from Sydney had other ideas, and after taking the opening two sets 25-23, 25-20, another major upset looked on the cards.
The Uni Blues rallied, taking the next two sets 25-21, 25-22 to force the match into a fifth set decider, before sealing their third title 15-10.
The bronze medal went to the Victorian Volleyball Association, who beat the Canberra Heat 3-0.
FINAL PLACINGS
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
1 Canberra Heat 2 QLD Pirates 3 Adelaide Storm 4 WA Hornets 5 UTSSU 6 VVA Vultures 7 University Blues 8 Oceania Orcas |
1 University Blues 2 UTSSU 3 VVA Vultures 4 Canberra Heat 5 QLD Pirates 6 Oceania Orcas 7 Adelaide Storm 8 WA Pearls |
ALL STARS
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
• Rory Welsh (Adelaide Storm) • Will Mercer (QLD Pirates) • Cooper Peacock (Adelaide Storm) • Travis Passier (Canberra Heat) • Shane Alexander (QLD Pirates) • MVP: Shane Alexander (QLD Pirates) |
• Rebecca Walters (Uni Blues) • Shae Sloane (Uni Blues) • Kat Chen (Uni Blues) • Eliza Karly Hynes (Uni Blues) |
2016
AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE 2016
The 2016 AVL continued with the competition structure implemented in 2015. Teams were once again separated into 2 separate conferences (East and South) and a new club was introduced to the Eastern Conference in the form of the Sydney Amazons (women) and Sydney Warriors (men).
The season consisted of seventeen teams, 9 men and 8 women. The league was managed in a home and away format with 120 matches comprising of 9 rounds qualifying 2 teams from each conference into the finals in Melbourne on 2-3 December. Thank you to all the host clubs and states as well as a big thank you to all referees and volunteers who assisted throughout season.
Victoria’s Uni Blues won an incredible fourth women’s Australian Volleyball League final and the Queensland Pirates have achieved revenge for a shock loss 12 months ago to win the men’s title at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 3 December.
The Uni Blues, led by helloworld Volleyroos coach Shannon Winzer and including several Australian team members, were too strong for the Queensland Pirates in a one-sided gold medal match, eventually winning 3-0.
Volleyroo Hannah Martin was outstanding for the Blues, and was named the MVP of the finals series. She had good support from Volleyroos teammates and Uni Blues captain, Shae Sloane, and Jamie-Lee Morrow.
“This means a lot, we’ve put a lot of hard work in over the past few years,” Sloane said.
“We didn’t think we could get here. We won the first one, and then had a bit of momentum and won two, and then won three.
“At the start of this year we really wanted to get the fourth one and do something that no other club has ever done. We worked extremely hard, it’s so exciting and something very special.”
The Queensland Pirates were still smarting from a shock loss in last year’s grand final to the Canberra Heat, after they had navigated the entire season without losing a match.
But with the addition of former Volleyroo and finals MVP, Benjamin Bell, to the line-up, the Pirates were a formidable combination.
Shane Alexander was again outstanding for the Pirates, with the 3-0 win giving the Pirates their third title in the past four seasons.
In the bronze medal matches, the VVA Vultures shocked the Adelaide Storm in the men’s competition 3-1, while in the women’s competition, the Sydney Amazons, in their first season in the AVL, beat the WA Pearls 3-0.
24 hours earlier the Amazons had pushed the Uni Blues to five sets.
FINAL PLACINGS
| MEN | WOMEN |
|
1 QLD Pirates 2 Canberra Heat 3 VVA Vultures 4 Adelaide Storm 5 UTSSU 6 University Blues 7 Centre of Excellence 8 WA Hornets 9 Sydney Warriors |
1 University Blues 2 QLD Pirates 3 Sydney Amazons 4 WA Pearls 5 Canberra Heat 6 VVA Vultures 7 Adelaide Storm 8 UTSSU |