Pirates Women Pillage Heat in Hot Season Start

The Scape Queensland Pirates met the Canberra Heat on Saturday evening at Iona College for the first ever match in the new Scape Australian Volleyball Super League, running away with a 5-0 win under the new format and rules. Both teams featured some returning and familiar faces in their line-ups, and some debutants, but the heat had the most changes from their 2022 team with some news names and rising stars making their first impression on the senior Australian volleyball competition.

The Pirates started strong in the first set with the dynamic duo of setter Kylee White and Volleyroo Emma Burton creating havoc for the Heat.

Brielle Kettleton was a powerhouse for the Canberra with an impressive kill rate off her captain Georgia Niedermeier, who has been a long-standing figure with the Heat.

Winning the first 3 sets comfortably 18-11, 18-11, and 18-13, the Pirates guaranteed the overall win and larger share of the competition points, with Scarlett Rudder and Sophie Ballard creating a huge roadblock in front court and Denzi Elley making light work of any stray ball to make it through the block.

The Heat laid down the challenge in the fourth set, making the Pirates sweat, and at several moments looked like they could claim some competition points for themselves, but were ultimately reeled back in to lose the set 18-16. Queensland then reinforced their 2023 credentials by wrapping up the final set 18-11.

The new format was embraced by both teams with both coaches utilizing all their power plays.
Super Heat coach Sue Jenkins was first to jump in, calling the first power play with a 5:11 score-line in the first set.