On Sunday 22nd November, Columba sent two teams to Invercargill for the Junior South Island Volleyball Champs. The three-day indoor volleyball tournament was followed up with many of the girls competing in the South Island Junior Beach Championships on the 26th.

The Junior A team was coached by Will White and Olivia Bolwell and was managed by Dawn Hope. The team had a bit of a rocky start on Day 1. The games were well fought, highlighted by the fact that our Junior A were the only team to take a set from top-seeded Nelson Girls in pool play. At the end of the day, the girls found themselves in the bottom 8 of Division 1, with the new goal of taking 9th place with the support of Mrs Duthie and the Junior B team. They played local rivals Queen's High School, after struggling against them all season, and took a 2-0 win. They then played another local rival, Otago Girls' High School, where they took a hard 2-0 loss. Nevertheless, our girls came off the court positive and determined to play them again in the playoffs. They then played Central Southland College taking a very convincing 2-0 win, finishing Day 2 on a high.

The last day was a good one for the Junior A team, facing a strong St Margaret's side who they had narrowly lost to in pool play. The girls learnt how to identify opposition strengths and make adjustments and took away a strong 2-0 win.

Next came a rematch with Otago Girls', playing for 9th and 10th. It was the 4th time the two teams had played each other for the season, the Columba team just falling short every time, but they went on the court ready to win. After a close first-set win, their energy was running low and they went down in the second. The last set was a nail-biter as it went point for point, but with the loud support of the Junior B team, Columba ended up on top, taking the win 2-1 to finish 9th in the South Island.

The beach tournament was a highlight for some, and the Year 9 girls did especially well. Ameila Hollows and Lucy Morrison made it to the semi finals against St Andrew's College and came in 3rd in the South Island. Kayla Smith and Sophie Tizard fought hard the whole tournament and won every game. They beat St Andrew's in a close final, with some strong serving and amazing passing. It is believed that this result is a historic first time South Island Volleyball Championship for Columba.

Overall, the tournament was an amazing week; both teams were positive and supportive, playing with GRACE and good discipline. They wore the dove with pride and were great advocates for Columba College throughout the whole week, playing with smiles and positive attitudes.

By Briar Duncan & Olivia Bolwell