VOLLYBALL: The Australian women’s volleyball team has been beaten by Korea at the Asian Championships in China, but their form continues to impress.
After beating The Philippines in their opening encounter, the Volleyroos took a set off the highly rated Koreans and showed they could be competitive with the world’s best.
“We came out of it pretty happy,” captain Shae Sloane said.
“To get that second set off Korea, we haven’t done that sort of thing in a while. And to get to 24-all, and then come away with the set showed a lot of fight from us.
“The other three sets we played okay, but they really stepped it up and we just found it hard to go with them.”
Korea won the match 3-1, 25-11, 24-26, 25-11, 25-14.
It’s a new look women’s Volleyroos team, with several experienced players either retired or unavailable.
But Sloane said having so many new players is a bonus for the team.
“We’re a young team and not afraid to do anything, we’re pretty fearless at the moment,” she said.
“We know that if we go out there aggressive we can take it to these teams. It’s an exciting team to be in.”
Australia take on Asian fifth-ranked team, Kazakhstan, on Friday, with a win giving the ninth-ranked Australians a shot at the top eight.
“They’re definitely beatable,” Sloane said.
“They’re a really strong team, and they play a very similar game style to us.
“They’ve got some big outside hitters and some big blockers, which is the same as us, so I think we’ll be pretty suited to their game style.”
Sloane took a year away from volleyball last year to finish her studies, and had to watch on as the Volleyroos had their first ever season in the prestigious Grand Prix.
“It was hard watching on last year,” she said.
“It was good watching them, and seeing the results come in, but it was really hard not to be part of it.
“I really did miss it. It’s always hard to watch a team you’ve been part of, watching and thinking what you could have done if you were there.
“I’m so glad to be back and part of a team which has got so much potential and such a great future.”
The Australian women’s team, which receives no Government funding, has climbed from a world ranking of 100 at the start of 2014 to top 50 in under a year.
This year the team will not only once again play Grand Prix, but will also host their division finals, in Canberra, in July.
ROSS SOLLY FOR VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA
