Rapids Improving With Every Game

30th of June Wainuiomata Rapids defeat Porirua (3-0)

The game was going to be unknown territory, as when the Rapids men faced Porirua in the first round, Porirua had defaulted. During the course of the tournament, Porirua have shown they can compete with good performances on the way. But with the game plan intact for the Rapids, soon they found themselves dictating the the game. Junior Tiata worked hard to create the split sets with good vision, enabling his hitters to have a field day. Though the set scores were close on the score-sheet at the end of the day, it was the Rapids that had always put themselves in position with points to burn. Rapids taking the match 3 – Nil. A remarkable play was Herbert Faitele putting away 4 unanswered points consecutively in the middle with his first tempo attacks, while his partner in Middle, Kingshar Luteru marked a big day for himself. he had stepped up to the mark with the absence of Darryl Samuelu and amazed everyone with his fast arm, and great speed of his approaches, with that effort the team voted him player of the day. A great display of discipline has been demonstrated by the Rapids, and would love to continue the good form.

Bittersweet Victory for Rapids

30th of June Wainuiomata Rapids defeat JBI (3-0)

The final match before the playoffs, and the Rapids are facing “Just Bang It”. A game that the women’s team would target to win. But Rapids never got things going all their own way. JBI had been able to take a set from the Rapids, and not wanting to go to the 5th was the aim. Results were going to have to go the Rapids way to give them a chance at the top four, but SHC Hawkz needing to beat Wests for Rapids to have that chance was going to be an unlikely situation. But as the Rapids battled on, sometimes battling against each other with poor communication, they emerged on top with a 3 – 1 victory.
Wests did end up beating SHC Hawkz to keep themselves in the top 4 and into the semi’s, while the Rapids bittersweet victory has them in 5th place, and in the hunt for the Division II title.

Rapids Men’s Take Upset Wins

“Rapids Men’s Take Upset Wins in 3rd Central Zone”

The draw for the Men’s team had them staked against a weary and un-active Scorpions men’s team. Scorpions have ventured from the deep south to try to get more volleyball as they won’t be seeing another competition game for atleast another 6 weeks. Another team who were placed in pool C was Ngamotu, who have tasted victory by making the Semi’s in the first Central Zone back in April.
The first game was up against the much favoured Ngamotu side who have great players in Setters / Hitters Tim Clever and Bevan Erueti. The plan was to make the most of it, as in the previous two Central Zones, ended with players being too nervous or unsure of where they were drawing their motivation from. But having a change around the week before with a win in the Wellington League against Laleilei O Samoana had given the boys the much needed boost to head into Central Zone 3. Facing up to Ngamotu was becoming familiar territory, and all the players were excited to give their all. The game went down to the wire, and through out the game, the Rapids did their best not to play re-active volleyball, but were managing to dictate the run of play and getting the kills with great power from the outside hitters, and smart hits from the middles. Rapids got themselves into the 3rd set just needing one error from Ngamotu and the game will be theirs. Off the Ngamotu serve it looked to be a decent serve, not too hard but low. With a good pass from Ashton Ulu, it was received well by setter Junior Tiata who was looking to young Andrew Ulu to finish it off which he did with a crashing “Rapids” kill to give Wainui Men’s Rapids their first win off their first schedule game of the day which allows them to immediately stay off the bottom and puts them into the top 6. It was a good day for the Men’s team, and they followed up from that 2-1 victory with another 2-1 victory off the more fancied Scorpions. Wainui Rapids Men’s finished in their highest ranking to date in 6th place.

Women’s Rapids Want Next Level – CZ 3

CZ 3, 7th place out of 10.

Having to struggle for players come Central Zone has really hamstrung the Women’s Rapids squad. Not knowing whether they will have a squad is not any teams idea as good preparation. But the true and faithful who have managed to stick with the programme having been keeping the other teams honest in Central Zone. Facing up against Wests for their first game, it was always going to be a tight contest. Wests would have been wondering also if they had what it took to win. But with all games in the first day being 3 set matches, the games always ends up hanging in the balance of errors vs unforced errors. And the balance seemed to hang slightly in favour for Wests winning the match 2-1. Matches against Massey and Victoria Eagles Black were always going to be tough but losing to them were eye openers once again, that with more belief in their abilities that it won’t be long before a big upset is on the cards. Following that day they had success with a win over Sacred Heart Hawkz who had good players but lacked the experience that they are wanting to gain. The Rapids took another win over Napier to take out 7th place out of 10.

Wainuiomata Rapids Defeat LOSVB

16th of June Wainuiomata Rapids defeat LOSVB (3-1)

The men’s team were willing their fortunes to change after a woeful effort from the previous week going down 3 – Nil to the Hawkz. But this week was time to redeem themselves against Lalelei O Samoana who have been chipping away on their own game knowing that they have had a good run of play in the past against the Rapids.
The first two sets were strong for the Rapids taking the sets quickly with great setting from their setter Junior Tiata. Tiata was receiving better passes from previous games and was allowed to create quick sets with his middles early in the game. Darryl Samuelu debuted at middle and thoroughly enjoyed it, “I can’t believe the work involved in the middle, but I really enjoyed it”.
The third set was tight, but though the Rapids lost the set, they were positive they could complete the game in the fourth set. A jubilant Tiata mentioned, “One thing I liked, was the way we finished the forth set, and that was the way we blocked, we shut them down for atleast the last 6 points”.
It was a game the Rapids took 3 – 1, with a strong game from Alex Ulu also who had to fight back to find confidence which he did well. All players had exceptional games, with great power tips finding the vulnerable spot in the middle, and a well organised defense.

Wellington League Week 5

9th of June Wainuiomata Rapids lose to Hawkz (0-3)

Excellent game was produced by the Rapids Women’s team with a 3-0 win over Lalelei O Samoana. The rise in form has followed them from their last game two weeks ago against Napier, in the 2nd Central Zone.
A game the Rapids Men’s would like to forget. Playing Hawkz, the Rapids Men’s team were simply out played, going down 3-0. The Rapids will have to try something new to be able to hang in there if they are wanting to make the semi-finals.