THE Orara High School volleyball team has taken out sixth place at the NSW Boys Volleyball Knock Out State Championships.

After their successful run in the North Coast Regional Knockout competition, the ‘Orara Thunder’ was ready to mix it with the best school volleyball teams in NSW.

On day one, during the group stages at Sydney Olympic Park, Orara competed with high school teams from Condobolin, Baulkham Hills, the Murrumbidgee region and Ryde.

“Orara came out with a quiet sense of confidence in their first two matches, giving everybody from the team a chance to get on the court and get acquainted with the conditions they were playing in,” said Orara High School PE teacher and volleyball coach Alex Dujin.

Orara comfortably won both matches two sets to nil.

Those two games provided the perfect warm up for their formidable Baulkham Hills opponents.

Orara again won two sets to love, setting up a vital match with last year’s State Champions, Ryde High School.

The winner would qualify for the semifinals and an opportunity to play for a medal.

Withstanding a “barrage of devastating spikes” from Ryde players, Orara responded strongly to keep the scores level early on, before the Sydney-based side began to stamp its authority on the match.

“Despite the Thunder trying to break through with some highly respectable rallies and points, Ryde withstood the Orara power and stamped out any thoughts of an upset, winning the first set 21-14 and the second set 21-17.

“With the Orara pride riding high, the boys took solace in the fact that they had a ‘rumble in the jungle’ experience with one of the best teams in the state.”

On day two, Orara dusted themselves off to do battle against old rivals Cabramatta High School.

In similar circumstances to last year’s competition, Orara bounced back off the ropes to win two sets to one to guarantee a top six finish.

Now competing for fifth place, Orara faced off with a well drilled side from The Ponds High School in Western Sydney.

The Ponds won the first set by four points before the Thunder took the second set by three points.

In a gripping final set, The Ponds eventually edged out Orara to win 15-13.

“Our team took the loss gallantly, and after reflecting on their performances the whole of this year they took pride in the knowledge that they won ten out of twelve matches, losing one of the matches they lost by two points,” Mr Dujin said.

It is the end of an era for seven Thunder players who leave school this year.

“2024 is a special year for a group of students who knew nothing much about each other four years ago,” Mr Dujin said.

“The companionship that they developed over the years is a testament to their ability to conquer borders and walls of different cultures and values and forge between them a lifelong lasting camaraderie.”

Mr Dujin expressed thanks to community members who had supported the team’s journey in recent years.

“The team would like to thank all the businesses in the Coffs Harbour community and Sydney (Mr Perfect) who contributed over the years in helping with fundraising opportunities for the team.

“A special thanks goes to Happy Frog, Sportz Central, David Wigley (News Of The Area reporter), Britt Ramsey from Channel 9, Channel 7, McDonalds, Woolworths and the Coffs Harbour Volleyball association for supporting the team throughout the years.

“And lastly, we thank Orara High School for all the support during the years and hope to be back better and stronger next year.”

By David WIGLEY