2025 has been a standout year for Upper Hutt College girls Volleyball. Player Meagan Stokes explains why.

With our premier team not only competing weekly in the highly competitive Division 1 league, but also finishing in the top 10 at Regionals—we earned ourselves a coveted spot at the Volleyball New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals!

On March 24th, an excited and determined group of young athletes made their way to Palmerston North for the first time in several years to take part in the National Championships, held at the Central Energy Trust Arena. With 100 boys teams and 98 girls teams present, the energy at the opening ceremony was electric, giving us all a sense of the incredible week ahead.

Our campaign didn’t start as planned—day one saw us lose both grading games, placing us in Division 6. But the girls weren’t discouraged. Their spirit, teamwork, and love for the game only grew stronger from that point on.

Throughout the week, our team bonded both on and off the court. One of the most memorable off-court highlights was the popular "clothes peg" game, where teams decorated pegs with positive and inspiring messages and tried to secretly clip them onto other players. It was a fun, uplifting way to meet new people and added to the supportive and welcoming atmosphere of the tournament—a great way to ease the nerves that come with such a large event.

With their confidence and connection growing, our girls brought that positive energy onto the court. Day three was a turning point, with the team fighting hard and winning both of their matches—each going to a nail-biting third set. After five intense days and nine tough games, Upper Hutt College finished 8th in Division 6, an achievement we are incredibly proud of.

We also had the pleasure of sharing accommodation with Takapuna Grammar School. Together, we shared laughs, helped each other out, and built lasting friendships that extended beyond volleyball.

For our four Year 13s, Nationals was a beautiful way to round off their college volleyball journey. Their leadership, skills, and heart have been a huge part of our success, and while their departure will be felt, we’re excited about the rising talent in our junior and Premier 2 teams. The future is looking bright for UHC volleyball!

All of this would not be possible without the mentoring and support from our Coach, Ms Teresa Cargo. We are so lucky to have such a knowledgeable and patient coach, you are simply the best! A special mention also goes to our stand-in manager Mr Mitch Browne who took stats, prepared our meals and made sure our uniforms were sparkly and clean for all of our games! 

Thank you to everyone who supported our journey to Nationals. It was an unforgettable experience—one that has inspired our younger players and strengthened our team both on and off the court. We can’t wait to build on this success next season!