Super League 2026 Round 1 Weekend Wrap
The 2026 Mahindra Australian Volleyball Super League (Super League) season got underway over the weekend, with all six clubs taking to the court for Round 1 across the ACT, South Australia and Victoria.
With fresh and returning faces across the teams and coaching groups, the opening round featured dominant performances and thrilling five-set contests as the race for the 2026 titles began.
Queensland Pirates vs Canberra Heat
The Queensland Pirates made a strong start to the new season, claiming victories in both the men’s and women’s matches against the Canberra Heat at Radford College in the ACT on Saturday, October 10.
Men
The reigning men’s champions opened their title defence in convincing fashion, sweeping the Heat 5-0. The Pirates controlled the match across all five sets to secure a comprehensive opening-round victory.
Final result: Queensland Pirates def. Canberra Heat 5-0
Set scores: 18-9, 18-14, 18-15, 18-13, 18-10
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iCNNGqUJso
Women
The Pirates continued the Club’s successful afternoon with a 5-0 victory in the women’s match. They maintained their momentum throughout the contest, winning all five sets to complete a clean sweep against Canberra.
Final result: Queensland Pirates def. Canberra Heat 5–0
Set scores: 18-16, 18-14, 18-9, 18-14, 18-8
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is4nQkQe62Q
NSW Phoenix vs Adelaide Storm
The NSW Phoenix and Adelaide Storm split the results in their double header at Lights Community & Sports Centre in South Australia on Saturday, with NSW claiming the men’s match before Adelaide responded with a dominant performance in the women’s contest.
Men
The men’s match delivered one of the weekend’s closest contests. After Adelaide took the opening set, NSW responded to win the next two before the Storm fought back to force a decider. The Phoenix held their nerve in the fifth set to secure a 3-2 victory.
Final result: NSW Phoenix def. Adelaide Storm 3-2
Set scores: 11-18, 18-8, 18-10, 15-18, 18-12
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM-pHuszGiQ
Women
Adelaide turned the tables in the women’s match, producing a commanding 5-0 win over the Phoenix on home court. The Storm maintained control across all five sets to finish their opening-round double header with a convincing victory.
Final result: Adelaide Storm def. NSW Phoenix 5–0
Set scores: 18-13, 18-12, 18-15, 18-13, 18-11
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQk7kRte84U
Perth Steel vs Melbourne Vipers
The Perth Steel and Melbourne Vipers rounded out the opening weekend at State Netball Arena in Parkville, Victoria, on Sunday, October 11, with Perth claiming 3-2 victories in both the men’s and women’s matches.
Men
Perth opened the double header with a five-set win over Melbourne. After taking the first set, the Steel responded to Melbourne’s challenge by winning the third and fourth sets to secure the match, despite the Vipers taking the final set.
Final result: Perth Steel def. Melbourne Vipers 3-2
Set scores: 18-16, 14-18, 18-13, 18-10, 9-18
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s13eXIjv3C8
Women
The women’s match proved just as close, with Perth edging Melbourne 18-17 in the deciding set to claim another 3-2 victory. The result was a positive start for the reigning women’s champions, who went undefeated throughout the 2025 season.
Final result: Perth Steel def. Melbourne Vipers 3–2
Set scores: 17-18, 18-16, 18-16, 15-18, 18-17
Game Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ATfGengy9M
Round 1 has set the scene for an exciting 2026 Super League season, with clubs now turning their attention to the next round of competition.