While there was plenty of action on the volleyball courts in Aitutaki on Monday, it was the antics off the courts that had people laughing throughout the day at the annual Cook Islands News Easter 4x4 Volleyball Tournament.

On the court, MC Flyers beat their rivals Pu Ava Boys in a replay of last year’s open men’s final, though the result was reversed.

Where they lost on the final point last year to the Pu Ava Boys, the Maoate Constractors Flyers this year won their match on the last point.

In the open women’s competition, Hit Me With Your Best Shot beat Unknown in the final to take the trophy.

Hit Me was officially recorded as a Rarotonga-based team, although one of its members lives in Aitutaki.

The other non-Aitutaki side, Nek Minnit, won the under 16 boys competition with Kachix taking out the under 16 girls competition.

Da Best lived up to their name in the round robin mamas category, with the Rainbow Eels and Slice of Heaven taking out the under 13 girls and boys tournaments respectively.

On the sidelines, there was plenty of colour and fun being had by volleyball players and spectators alike. With 58 teams involved in the day and a unique uniform for each, there was plenty to keep onlookers interested even during the lulls between play.

Some of the teams went for a classic look in their uniform choosing colours and clean designs over all else.

Women’s team Kamikaze Heats were one such side, going with a classic and classy red uniform for the day’s play.

Others, like the men’s Wild Rhinos, also went with a more classic look but spiced things up for the parade and times when they were sitting courtside with each wearing a matching hat and pareu in addition to their uniform.

Still more teams went for a wild option to really stand out from the rest.

Under 13 girls side Rainbow Eels had some variance in their uniform and though each was dressed differently they still managed to look like a team.

True to their name, the girls each picked a colour from the rainbow and put their design on over the top.

The best-dressed awards went to two of the brightest and loudest teams in the competition.

In the women’s category, mamas MOT Guns won recognition as the best-dressed women for the day with their colourful 1980s-esque get-up.

In the men’s competition, the Iron Queens were a favourite for the judges and the crowd alike.

Their loud and proud uniforms, featuring silk, tutus and flower bouquets had everyone rubber-necking to get a look at them during the day.

Proof that their choice as best-dressed winners was a good one, the crowd let out a massive cheer when the Iron Queens were named as the award’s recipients.

Despite having more teams competing this year than there has been in the past, organiser Rere Mataiti said that there were plans to expand the competition even further.

Aside from hoping to increase the money in the prize-pool, Mataiti said he hoped to see more teams and individuals from outside Aitutaki compete in the coming years.

This year, two teams from Rarotonga joined the competition and a small group of players from outside the Cook Islands joined Aitutaki teams for the day.

Those included some Australians who are currently based on the island and some returning Aitutakians who had travelled from New Zealand for the weekend.