Aitutaki turns out in force for volleyball

The CI News Easter volleyball tournament on Aitutaki attracted 49 teams and drew out the whole island on Easter Monday for the return of the annual volleyball competition.

Fantastic battles were seen all day in the open men, open women, under 16 and under 13 categories.

The day of action packed volleyball ended with the grand finals between the Blues and Green Machine in the open men’s category.

High flying spikes and powerful digs were seen – especially from the Green Machine’s Lee Neil.

The Blues team, which included tournament organiser Rere Mataiti, certainly had the brawn but it was the mix of brawn and speed of the Green Machine that saw them edge out the Blues to win the exciting match in the open men’s division 45-30.

A closer grand finals match was seen in the open women’s division with the Pacific Resort ladies battling it out with the ladies from Tamanu.

It was point for point at the clock wind down with the Tamanu ladies edging out Pacific Resort 43-42 to win the open women’s division trophy.

In the junior grades – just as exciting finals were seen with the Beginnarz beating the Undercovers for the under 16 boys’ trophy.

The under 16 Zelenga ladies’ team were just too good for team Rinos winning the division grand finals 43-39.

In the under 13 boys division, the Pat Boys were way too energetic and skilled for opponents Still Learning to win the division final 45-37.

The Poly Chix were crowned the under 13 girls champions after another close finals match against the Slajek ladies 38-35.

A number of individual stand out players received awards as well namely Kim Tare (most valuable under 16 girls player), Teremoana Riro (most valuable under 16 boys player), Tereau Henry (most valuable open women player), Teariki Eli (most valuable open men player), Aupuni Rota (youngest female player), Lance Takaiti (youngest male player), Tanga Manuela (oldest female player) and Toanui Isamaela (oldest male player).

The return of the Easter volleyball tournament on Aitutaki is set to return annually again with CI News confirming to continue their sponsorship of the much loved event on the outer island for the next three years.