VOLLEYBALL: The Australia men's volleyball team have secured a thrilling five-set win against Serbia in Melbourne, ensuring they remain in the prestigious World League group one.

It will provide the Volleyroos with invaluable match practice as they eye the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Australia went into the match against Serbia on Sunday knowing Russia had overtaken them on the World League table, with the bottom team to be relegated.

The Volleyroos took the opening set 25-22, but then Serbia fought back to take the second 25-22.

Australia's game fell apart in the third set, with several unforced errors and disputed calls raising the pressure level.

Australia coach Roberto Santilli received a yellow card and then a red card which cost his team a point as he continued to remonstrate with officials.

A distracted and flustered Australia could not get back into the set, losing it 25-13 - their worst set score line of this year's World League.

But the young Australian team regrouped and returned to their starting formation for the fourth set, and led by captain Tom Edgar, Paul Sanderson and Jacob Guymer they were able to regain control.

They won the fourth set 25-22, and then held their nerve in front of a full house to take the final set 15-12, and the match 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 13-25, 25-21, 15-12).

AAP