Played nine. Won eight. Came fifth in Tier 2. If that was the end of the story, then this would be the end of the article but…

A young group of King’s men travelled North on Sunday the 26th of March to compete in the Senior Secondary Schools Volleyball nationals in Palmerston North; 180 teams: 80 boys and 100 girls.

Our first goal was to finish in the top half of our pool so as to qualify for the top 16. Middleton Grange School and Kamo High School were dispatched without too much difficulty which sent us to a final pool game to determine who finished top of our pool. We played Trident High School, who were beaten Tier 2 finalists two years ago. Trident won the first two sets in very tight finishes and the rest of the sets became a must win. What eventuated was one of the greatest come-backs in King’s Volleyball history with the Lions winning in five sets. Finn Apii’s serving in the final set was close to unplayable and Trident crumbled under the pressure.

The Lions are a young team; six Year 11, three Year 12 and only one Year 13 (our libero Andre 'Dre' Mata’afa) but they grew in every way throughout the tournament.

Going through to the next round top of the pool gave us a distinct advantage and we grabbed the opportunity in both hands. We topped this pool and went into the Quarter Finals with some confidence. Unfortunately, we came up against a better team in Hamilton Boys' High School and we lost in three tight sets. We could have rolled over in the remaining games after the disappointment, but the boys dug deep and turned up for the Lion. 

The second game on the Thursday was against St Peter’s College of 'Palmy' and we were doing it tough until William Colenso College (Napier) showed up to cheer for us. Friends are made quickly at a tournament of this type, and we became instant friends with the Colenso lads after we had beaten them in three sets earlier in the week. The boys gave us a big lift, and we ended up winning in five epic sets.

Friday morning's final game was the play-off for 5th and 6th place against Kamo High School, again. Three tidy sets later and we had secured the highest finish by a King’s team at nationals in many years.

The boys 'repped' the Lion with pride and honour and we are already in planning for next years tilt at the 'Div' One Final!

'Ain’t no school like King’s High School'

Special thanks to King’s stalwart Chase Iti, who coached the boys with both insight and passion. Chase has given thousands of hours to our Volleyball Programme since he left school. We would not be the team we are without Coach Iti!