Dragon City 2008...

The Annual Dragon City Tournament.

The Bendigo Volleyball Association once again hosted its annual Dragon City Tournament last weekend on the Schweppes Centre courts. 48 teams made the journey to Bendigo for the weekend. Bendigo had many representative sides spread across the three men’s and 3 women’s divisions with Bendigo Dragons, Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport, Golden Square, Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Girton taking the court over the weekend. Sides from Horsham, Melbourne, Albury, Warrnambool and Geelong also took to the court for the weekend’s tournament which was sponsored by Bendigo Distribution Services. Sides were all vying to take home the coveted Bendigo Pottery trophies, which has become a feature of the Dragon City Tournament.

In the first final of the day Horsham met Lakes Volleyball Club from Ballarat in the Women’s Division 3 play off. Both sides fielded young players on court and many rallies extended the match into a two hour long epic. The final whistle saw Horsham take the title 3 sets to 2 in a tight fifth set.

Court four hosted the Women’s Division 2 grand final between Renegades and Eastern Institute of Volleyball. Renegades boasted Lani Smith, Fiona Tarquinio and Kellie Millikens, all local Bendigo players and had not lost a set going into the final. EIV surprised Renegades however in the first set allowing the favourites to only score 10 points. This spurred Renegades into action and their experience came to the fore as they won the next three sets and took home the Pottery.

In Women’s division one, former BBAS and Girton player Tania Lee’s Renegades again featured as they faced off against the Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport. The Academy boasted national youngster Karley Hynes who has just returned from a tour of the Philippines, along with the experience of Tahnee Woods and Rhiannon Judd; and the side got off to a shaky start losing the first set to the polished Renegades 25-14. They fought back however on the back of some great spiking from Hynes to win the second 28-26. The sides continued to trade sets with the match going to a fifth set decider. The Academy of Sport staved off 4 match points until the Renegades finally closed out the match 15-13 in the decider.

After winning their thrilling cross over semi finals Bellarine and Horsham took to the courts in the Men’s Division 2 final. Horsham provided youthful enthusiasm, while Bellarine looked to their experience to get them over the line. Local Bendigo player Alistair Kosta was on court for Horsham and the young legs took the match in straight sets 3-0 after coming back from 3 points down in the third set.

Horsham was once again represented in the Men’s division 1 final. Their opponents Q Redbacks had defeated the young Horsham side, which contained Bendigo’s Matt Gordon and Michael Brown, 2 sets to 1 in the pool matches and their good form continued in the final, winning the division for the second year running 3 sets to nil.

In the premier Men’s Honours division Melbourne based Falcons Masters took on fellow Melbourne side Old Reds. Old Reds had won their way through to the final after a five set marathon against Heidelberg, while Falcons Masters had won their semi against the younger Falcons side in four sets. Falcons took to the court in the first set without ex Bendigo player John McInerney, who was absent; leaving another Bendigo ex-pat Matt Jones with the setting duties. The Falcons jumped out of the blocks taking the first set comfortably and continued their good form in the second. As the match wore on the Semi Final marathon took its toll on the Old Red players and Falcons took the third set to take the title 3 sets to nil. Many teams, including the Melbourne Falcons, Heidelberg and Renegades indicated already their willingness to return to Bendigo next November for the annual tournament, while the many local sides that entered will be sure to return to the Schweppes centre courts again next year.

President of the Bendigo Association Geoff Adcock said “once again the Dragon City Tournament has provided quality matches at a local venue. Teams who entered were all wrapped in the event and are keen to return next year and compete for the Pottery prizes.”

Scott Ross
Bendigo Volleyball Association.

Summary of Finals