Volleyball is getting more and more popular in New Zealand's schools

Auckland, New Zealand, March 17, 2013 -- The 45th National School Volleyball Championships commenced today at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North with most early matches going according to form.

The Championships are now the largest regular sporting event in New Zealand, with over 2,000 players and team officials in 143 teams attending the 2013 event.

The top seeded boys’ team from Western Heights High School (Rotorua) and the girls’ team from the Tauranga Girls College won their first matches 3-0. The Timaru Boys High – ranked 30^th – came closest to scoring an upset win in an exciting game, losing 17-19 in the tie-breaker fifth set against third seeds, Orewa College.

A recently released report on school sport participation figures showed volleyball to be the most popular summer sport in New Zealand’s schools, and the second most popular sport overall for girls, behind netball.

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