Western Heights enjoy dominant volleyball season

A three-man block by Western Heights High School's Josh Tiplady (left), Tynan Gillespie and Draezel Edwards (9) against Westlake Boys' High School. Photo / Julie Maree Photography

Western Heights High School volleyball players are having one of their best seasons in recent years.

The senior boys' indoor volleyball team won the Bay of Plenty Championships for the sixth time in seven years before going on to win their 11th national title in Palmerston North at the end of last month.

In February, a pair from the school, Cole Gillespie and Brayden Herbert, won the New Zealand Junior Boys' Beach Volleyball title, while Tyran Gillespie and Bailey Gordon placed third in the senior boys' competition.

Western Heights volleyball assistant coach David Apete said the success came down to doing the basics right.

"It all started with the pre-season training, fitness was a key for us. Then it was all about the skill level improving as the season went on.

"Our goal at nationals was to win the banner and that's what we did. We didn't talk much about [losing in the semifinals last year], but it was always in the back of our minds. We just tried to focus on the current team and what they were capable of.

"We had a routine that the boys stuck to really well. The teamwork is key in volleyball, it is a team sport. A former coach here used to say 'you're only as strong as your weakest link'.

"The attitudes here are awesome, there are different personalities but they gel," Apete said.

Making the moment even more special for Apete was seeing his son Hemaia Taurou-Apete win his first national title.

"It was awesome. I won two titles here in the 80s, so for him to get one now was a big deal for him."

The school is a powerhouse of New Zealand volleyball; their most recent national titles prior to this year were in 2012 and 2015. Apete said they were consistently "up there".

"I think it's the depth of coaching we have here and the boys just love volleyball so much. They're in the gym here every day at interval and lunchtime.

"It's a great sport to play. I love it and I know the boys love it."

Hemaia, Tyran and Jalen Massey, along with former Western Heights student Billy Johnstone, are currently in the mix to represent the New Zealand junior men's team at the 2018 Asian Men's Under-20 Volleyball Championship in Bahrain in July. They have one more camp before the final squad is selected.