Volleyballers' Asian adventure

MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail

GOING TO THE BALL: Waimea College students Katie Adamson and Zoe Walker, both 16, have been selected for the New Zealand under-19 volleyball team going to the Asian Junior Women's Volleyball Championships in Vietnam.

Two of Nelson's top junior volleyball players are set to embark on their very own Asian adventure.

Waimea College students Zoe Walker and Katie Adamson, both 16, leave for Vietnam on September 9 with the New Zealand under-19 volleyball team.

They are taking part in the Asian junior women's championships in Vinh Phuc City, Vietnam.

Zoe, a passer-hitting and Katie, a middle player, were selected after a trial held after the national championships.

More than 100 people were gunning for the 12 spots on the team.

New Zealand has been drawn to play the host nation in the opening match, and are in a group that also includes Kazakhstan.

The top two teams from each pool progress, meaning New Zealand need to pick up at least one victory from their opening two matches to reach the top eight.

China and Japan are traditionally the strongest Asian nations, and the girls have been told New Zealand and Vietnam are probably about the same level.

Their strengths lie in different areas, however.

"Asian volleyballers are really good at defending so I think that will be an area where we will struggle," Zoe said.

"They'll obviously have good attacks as well, but they are definitely really good at defending.

"So we'll have to have a lot of service pressure."

A crowded schedule would leave little time for sightseeing.

"We've got a training and a game a day," Katie said.

"Then we've got a gap day after pool play, and then I think there is another round, then semis and finals and stuff."

The pair said it was the first time they had made a national age-group side, but both had played against Australian state teams in a South Island squad.

The under-19 team had completed training camps and played club sides in preparation.

The tournament comes at a busy time for the pair, with Zoe in the Waimea College A netball side, and Katie in the senior basketball team, both of which recently placed at the South Island secondary school championships.

- © Fairfax NZ News