Reds takes out 2022 WAVL Reserves and Division 1 Championships 

In the State League Reserves Grand Finals, Reds came up against Busselton in both men’s and women’s matches. In the women’s final, Reds took on a strong Busselton team; a team they had lost to twice in the regular season and who finished the regular season on top of the ladder. In a see-sawing affair, that went set-for-set, the Reds girls responded to the Busselton challenge to claim a highly contested Grand Final win. 

 

Reserves Women Head Coach Greg Hunt was delighted with the team’s performance over the course of the season. 

 

“We branded ourselves as a versatile and adaptable group. This was shown multiple times throughout the season with multiple players and coaches being away for games due to COVID-19, international travel or finally being able to visit family. Most importantly it showed in the Grand Final when a brand new row was thrown onto the team in the 5th set leading to a 15-8 set score and a gold medal,” Hunt said. 

 

In the men’s Reserves Grand Final, Reds faced fierce rivals Busselton who they defeated in a pulsating 5 set Qualifying Final two weeks earlier. In a long history between the sides, Busselton secured the 2020 Division 1 Men’s title following a come from behind victory against Reds Junior, and eliminated the Reds Reserves team in the 2021 Preliminary Final. But it was Reds who proved too good in 2022, as the team resisted the second five-set challenge from Busselton this finals series, to secure the Club its maiden men’s State League Reserves championship. 

 

Reserves Men Head Coach Victor Gabriel Goncalves was pumped to get the better of Busselton in the Grand Final. 

 

“This season has been an incredible journey, with a lot of dedication from the athletes and everyone behind the project. With hard work and perseverance, we had the pleasure of evolving as a team and as people. The grand final itself was a mirror of everything we did with great dedication throughout the season, we didn’t give up and we pursued our goal until the end. Very proud of our players,” Goncalves said.

 

Earlier in the day, Grand Final action commenced with the Division 1 Men taking on VIRSA, a side that the Reds team had failed to beat on two occasions in the regular season. After coming from behind in the Qualifying Final to overturn a 0-2 deficit against United, the Reds team overcame another 5 set challenge from VIRSA to take home the title. 

 

Division 1 Men Head Coach Anthony Meo was thrilled to get the team over the line in the final. 

 

“Our guys stood up to a strong VIRSA team who were a tough side for us to match-up on in previous matches and we were able to execute a great game of volleyball. We had another young team come up against experienced opposition all season and to finish with a Grand Final win was a special moment for the group,” Meo said.

Reds took on Balcatta in the Division 1 women’s Grand Final who finished the regular season on top of the ladder, having only dropped two matches all season; both to Reds. Reds started the match strongly, and were able to recover from a strong Balcatta charge in the second set to close out the match in 4 sets. 

 

Division 1 Women Head Coach Samuel Hoskin was excited to help secure the Club’s first Division 1 Championship.

“The season has been an absolute roller coaster but the end result was definitely worth it. The girls grew into excellent volleyballers and the grand final showed how far we truely came. Coming back in the first set and being able to win the 3rd and 4th set after losing the second set convincingly showed a real maturity amongst the group,” Hoskin said. 

 

The results cap off a sensational WAVL season for Reds that also saw the State League Men, State League Women and Division 3 Men reach the Preliminary Finals.