The Port Pirie Volleyball League held their grand finals for the second season 2009 on Friday, November 20.
The evening started with the A2 Women’s match between Solly Cats and Dilligafs.
This was the fourth straight season that they’ve come up against each other in the grand final, unfortunately for Dilligafs, the result was the same - a win for Solly Cats. This was their eighth win (two as Solly Cats, six as Bulldogs) in nine seasons.
The match started off Dilligafs’ way when they took a 2-0 lead under the leadership of Emma Oakey and Sueanne White.
Strong play from Amanda Budd (player of the match) and Megan Davey saw the Cats claw their way back to the 3-2 win.
The Men were the next to take to the court. In this match, X-Factor came up against Bulldogs for the fourth time in five seasons.
After the last two meetings going the full five sets, it seems this was an X-Factor payback from their first grand final match with X-Factor easily beating Bulldogs 3-0.
Anthony Harvey (player of the match) and Sam Salvemini shone for X-Factor while John Gibson and Vinnie Pepe were the stand-outs for Bulldogs.
The final match of the evening was the A1 Women’s match between Bulldogs and Epic.
Epic, who have won five of the last seven grand finals were looking to get back into the winners column after a defeat in June, but a fired up Bulldogs team weren’t to be denied.
The first set was a hard fought 26-24 win for Bulldogs. After the second set, they took a 2-0 lead before Epic won set three with determined play from Amanda Cousins and Amanda Loizeau.
In the fourth set, Rene’e Wood (player of the match) and Jacque Bateson led their team to a 25-14 win to take the match. Rene’e has been playing for over 10 year (20 seasons) and has played in many grand finals - this was her first win.
As a tribute to 25 years of incorporation and 40 years of volleyball in Port Pirie, presentations were not held until Saturday, November 21 at the Virtus Soccer Club.
A dinner was held where all life members were invited. The evening started with the A1 Men’s presentations, first to the X-Factor team of Phil Amato, Lyle Gillett, Grant Hanlon, Anthony Harvey, Laurenz Pansini, Sam Salvemini, and Brenton Willson. This was followed with the best and fairest awards.
The runner up was Anthony Harvey.
Best and fairest went to the quiet but consistent Warren O’Brien of Bulldogs.
Life members, John and Helen Blieschke were invited forward to present the Blieschke Player of the Year Shield.
This award went for the third time to Anthony Harvey (1998, 1999, 2009). Next was presentations to the A2 Women’s division.
The Solly Cats team of Amanda Budd, Tracy Curnow, Megan Davey, Kylie Foster, Sonya Hawley, Aleesha Mudge, and Sarah Sismey were presented their medallions and shield.
Runner up best and fairest was awarded to Karina Ramke with best and fairest honours going to Tanya Darling, both of the Desperate Housewives team.
The A1 Women’s medallions and shield were presented to the Bulldogs team of Jacque Bateson, Jo Ganley, Alyse Palmer, Tracey Pepe, Chloe Roros, Kim Schuller, and Rene’e Wood. In a first time ever four way tie for runner up best and fairest, trophies were awarded to Amanda Bowman (Nic Nacs), Megan Phillipps (Sparks), Ashleigh Schrader (Nic Nacs), and Rene’e Wood (Bulldogs).
Suella Davies, of Sparks, was the division best and fairest player this season.
Carolyn is Livingstone, one of the first players to receive life membership, is the longest playing member, having started in 1973 and she is still currently playing.
She read details of two people and for 2009, Graham Hoile and Keli Schrader were awarded life membership.
Grand final results:
A1 Men - X-Factor def Bulldogs (3-0) 25-18, 25-11, 25-19. Best: X-Factor - Anthony Harvey*, Sam Salvemini. Bulldogs - John Gibson, Vinnie Pepe.
A1 Women - Bulldogs def Epic (3-1) 26-24, 25-11, 20-25, 25-14. Best: Bulldogs - Rene’e Wood*, Jacque Bateson. Epic - Amanda Cousins, Amanda Loizeau.
A2 Women - Solly Cats def Dilligafs (3-2) 17-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-8, 15-12. Best: Solly Cats - Amanda Budd*, Megan Davey. Dilligafs - Emma Oakey, Sueanne White.
* Player of the Match
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