The Camden Haven High School open girls volleyball team has made history after winning gold at the State Cup in Sydney.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The team entered the grand final match as the underdogs, after they originally lost to the St George girls team in qualifying games.
"It was almost predetermined they were going to win," team captain Maddison Symons said.
"We didn't let that get to us."
Maddy said the win was a testament to the group's positive attitude and the ability for all players to constantly support one another throughout the match.
"We were cheering for every point, whether we won or lost it," she said.
Maddy said their opposition was thrown by the confidence of the team.
"We went on a winning streak then and once we were ahead we just kept going."
Maddy has taken on the role of the group's leader since the team's coach Todd Dalton left Camden Haven High School at the end of 2018.
The team has to communicate effectively to ensure the right people are being subbed off at appropriate times.
"We have to look at the game the way a coach would," Maddy said.
The players said the win felt really good because they were up against public and private schools from metropolitan areas.
"In practice we play against each other," Maddy said.
"Other schools would have the ability to play other teams within their schools and be able to go to more competitions situated closer to them."
The girls benefited from training after school with teacher Mr Phil Legge, a former player at an international level.
The girls focused on drills to improve placement, their team work and development of advanced strategies.
The girls said they would like to mentor younger students to play volleyball, so that they can also achieve success at a high level.
It was the first time the school had been able to represent at this event in the 18 years of Camden Haven High School.
Unfortunately the girls won't be able to compete at the competition in 2019, due to educational commitments.
However they are aiming to make the national competition on the Gold Coast in 2020.
As a team they have travelled to Newcastle and Sydney numerous times to play in the NSW State Cups.
A number of the girls have been selected into representative teams over the years at an open age level.
The school thanked Ms Kim Nicholas, Mr Phil Legge, and parent Lee Burdett who took on a managerial role.