Whakatāne High School’s Junior A Volleyball Team placed third at nationals – the first time they have placed in the top three in eight years.

Four junior teams from the school travelled to Auckland for the North Island Junior Nationals Competition.

Despite a rocky start after losing the first match of the tournament, coach Talei Bryant said the team won 9 out of 12 games to finish third out of the 48 teams competing.

Team member Ariana Dawson was selected for the tournament team after a top performance throughout the competition.

“The girls and I want to say a massive thanks to the parents, whānau and supporters,” Bryant said.

They were the only team from the Bay of Plenty to make it to the finals.

“The three other teams with us from our school were cheering us on, every chance they got,” she said. “We had everyone from the Bay of Plenty cheering us on in the finals. We were definitely the underdogs, especially since we are one of the smaller schools.”

Bryant said the “intense” final game resulted in Whakatāne High School overcoming Orewa, 15-13.

“It was a massive achievement for our school and the girls;  we haven’t placed this high for junior girls since 2016.

She and her assistant coaches, Kendall McKane and Zara Anderson, were proud to lead their team to victory.

“I was hoping for it, and thought they could do it if they played their best.”