Perth Steel d Adelaide Storm 3:0 (20-18, 18-10, 18-15)
Perth Steel Women became the first team to book their place in the Scape Australian Volleyball Super League final with a straight sets victory over the Adelaide Storm.
Having defeated Adelaide 4:1 just seven days ago on their home court, Perth knew that result would count for little and came out swinging from the opening point.
The first set was a dramatic affair with the scoreboard level at 13-all after powerplays were enacted back-to-back.
The two sides then traded points through to a Perth set point at 17-16, however Adelaide won the next two to earn their own set point.
Perth were able to even it up at 18-all before a marathon 37th point of the set went the Steel’s way. They made no mistake with their second set point to go 1:0 up.
The second set was the Elysse Hislop show, with the Perth middle blocker dominating on both sides of the net. The Steel opened up a big advantage, and with neither side willing to burn a powerplay, Perth won the second set 18-10.
With nothing to lose in the third, Adelaide used a powerplay while trailing 5-8 but were only able to score in one double-point rally, keeping the deficit at three. Steel coach Pauline Manser went straight on the attack by calling a powerplay of her own, however it was Adelaide who built momentum, winning seven of the next nine points to even the match up at 14-all.
That sparked the Steel into gear, and they reeled off three of the next four points to take their place in the decider.
“We’ve worked so hard to be in this position,” said Hislop. “We had a bit of a shaky start, found our groove, won the points we needed to a come away with 3-0.
“I think at the start of the season we definitely weren’t at our best and at the moment we are at our best and we still have more to give so tomorrow will be a really awesome game.”
Going in to tomorrow’s final, Hislop is confident the Steel can keep their momentum going and finish on top.
“I’m really excited – it’s been a long time coming, and honestly it’ll mean the world if we bring home gold… I mean when we bring home gold!”
Table-topping Perth Steel and defending champions Queensland Pirates will do battle for the Scape Australian Volleyball Super League following straight set semi-final victories today.
Both sides showed why they filled the top two positions on the ladder following the regular season, delivering strong performances en route to Sunday’s final in Bendigo.
The showdown will be a rematch of the 2022 Australian Volleyball League decider which the Pirates won in a come-from-behind five-set epic.
Perth Steel v Melbourne Vipers 3:0 (18-15, 18-15, 19-17)
Perth Steel Men have scored their sixth victory from as many matches this season to secure their place in the Scape Australian Volleyball Super League Final.
In an ultra-competitive match, the Steel’s players with international experience stood up when it counted most to come away with a straight sets win.
The Vipers stayed in touch in each of the opening two sets, but Perth took them both 18-15 and stood on the verge of victory.
However Melbourne wouldn’t go down fighting and after using a powerplay were up 13-9 in the third. The Steel used theirs wisely too and the two teams were neck-and-neck as they approached 18 points.
At 16-all, Melbourne manufactured a set point however Perth rallied hard, reeling off three straight points to win 3:0.
Perth captain Daniel Piggott was happy with how his team handled the pressure, taking their season at least one step further having finished third in 2022.
“They played really well,” said Piggott. “We were really nervous before the game but we stuck strong.”
While their victory over Adelaide last weekend may give Perth the upper hand going into the final, the closeness of that match augers for a competitive final on Sunday.
“We’re ready to go – we want to get this gold,” said Piggott. “It’s going to be close, there’s no doubting that.
“They’ve got some veterans, we respect them a lot, but as I said, we really want to win the gold.”
2023 SCAPE AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL SUPER LEAGUE FINALS
Sunday 17 September – Red Energy Arena, Bendigo VIC
WATCH LIVE AND FREE ON SBS OR ON DEMAND FROM 12 NOON