Sport Preview: Volleyball
Get ready for the spike, set, and serve as the highly anticipated Sol2023 Pacific Games volleyball event begins on Friday 17 November at the iconic Friendship Hall in Honiara.
The stage is set, the teams are geared up, and the energy will be palpable as the action begins in the men’s competition, starting with Samoa 2019 Pacific Games bronze medallists New Caledonia facing Samoa in the opening match at 5pm.
New Caledonia steps onto the court as one of the favourites, carrying a formidable reputation into the competition. With a history of dominance in Pacific volleyball and promising a spectacular display of skill and athleticism, all eyes will be on them as they strive to assert their prowess from the start. Will Samoa rise to the occasion and challenge the favourites, setting the tone for an electrifying tournament?
The excitement doesn’t end there on the opening day, as host nation Solomon Islands will take centre stage against Kiribati in the second match at 7pm. The home crowd is sure to be in full force, rallying behind their team as they aim to make a strong statement on home turf. Kiribati, known for their tenacity, won’t back down easily, promising a thrilling encounter that is bound to keep spectators on the edge of their seats.
Tahiti claimed gold in the men’s competition at the last edition of the Pacific Games, setting the bar high for all contenders. Will they maintain their dominance, or will a new powerhouse rise to the occasion and seize the coveted title? The other men’s medallists from Samoa 2019 were Wallis and Futuna (silver) and New Caledonia (bronze).
In the women’s competition at Samoa 2019, New Caledonia won gold, Tahiti claimed silver and hosts Samoa snatched bronze. The women’s tournament at Sol2023 begins on Saturday 18 November with American Samoa taking on Tahiti at 12pm. This will be followed by PNG v Solomon Islands at 2pm and Samoa v Tuvalu at 5pm.
Both the men’s and women’s tournaments will continue until Saturday 25 November, uniting the Pacific in the spirit of friendly competition and athletic excellence. With each serve and block echoing through the hall, volleyball will be a competition that promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
By Francis Pituvaka, Pacific Games News Service
