Samoa, New Caledonia, PNG, American Samoa reach men’s volleyball quarter-finals

The men’s and women’s volleyball competitions continued at Honiara’s Friendship Hall on Wednesday, with Samoa, New Caledonia, American Samoa and Papua New Guinea (PNG) posting victories in the men’s tournament to book their places in the quarter-finals.

In a captivating showcase of skill and determination, Samoa emerged triumphant against Tonga, securing an emphatic 3-0 win to progress to the next stage of the competition.

“We’re thrilled to be here, and I’m very excited about reaching the quarterfinals,” said Samoa’s Glen Young Yen, reflecting the team’s enthusiasm for their stellar performance.

Simultaneously on the adjacent court, New Caledonia displayed their dominance against Solomon Islands, clinching a 3-0 victory. Speaking on behalf of New Caledonia, their assistant coach Bouverwe underscored the youthfulness of their squad.

“We’re excited about today’s win because our team is very young. We take each match one by one, and we’re proud to play against Team Solomon. Looking ahead, we anticipate tough matches and aim to reach the final for the gold,” said Bouverwe, highlighting the team’s ambitions.

In another notable match, American Samoa secured a 3-1 victory over Tuvalu, marking a significant achievement for the team. The American Samoa team coach expressed satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the strength of both teams.

Concluding the day’s men’s volleyball matches, PNG achieved a 3-2 victory over Tahiti in an intense clash. Ronald Omoa, the team manager for PNG men’s volleyball, praised the team’s performance and expressed confidence in their journey towards the quarterfinals.

In women’s volleyball, the quarterfinals began. Tahiti beat Tuvalu 3-0, American Samoa beat Samoa 3-2, and New Caledonia knocked out hosts Solomon Islands 3-0.

Volleyball resumes on Thursday at 12pm.

By Walter Sale, Pacific Games News Service