Albany volleyball finals go down to the wire as Premier League season ends with two five-set thrillers

Five-set thrillers delivered the perfect finish to the Albany Volleyball Association’s season with both Premier League grand finals going down to the wire in dramatic fashion on September 18.

The women’s decider between the Pirates and the Sirens was a nailbiter, with momentum swinging back and forth all night.

The Pirates fought hard to come out on top, but it was Sirens’ Sharmel Creligo who took out the title of the grand final’s most valuable player for her efforts in defeat.

Griffins’ Ellie Macaulay was named the most valuable player for the 2026 season.

The men’s final was just as intense with a two-hour, five-set rematch of last year’s grand final.

Wrenegades won in three sets last year, but this year the OG’s turned the tables, beating the reigning premiers 15-13 in the final set.

OG’s Jamie Molan was named the grand final’s most valuable player, while Wrenegades’ Matt Adams was announced as the season’s best after a huge season, even if the trophy slipped away at the last minute.

The 2026 season was the association’s busiest season yet with a record of 53 teams taking to the courts.

A lot of growth came from the juniors with the number of teams jumping up from six to 16 this season.

It came from players dragging their friends along, families turning up week after week, and schools getting behind the game.

For a lot of this years players, it was was their first season and judging by the smiles at the end of each night, it won’t be their last.

September 15 belonged to the juniors and the social grade divisions.

In the junior development division, Griffins Stings defeated ACC White 2-1, with Bea Allen named the grand final’s match MVP.

The season MVP couldn’t be split, with Macy Emberson, Edith Newman and James Swanson sharing the award in a three-way tie.

In the junior competitive division, the DSHS mixed juniors got the better of Bethel Bananas, with Eloise Riordan taking the award for finals MVP and Andy Nguyen named season MVP.

The adult social grades were just as good.

In mixed A-Grade, ASHS Countryweek beat Wrenegades in two sets, with Marlon Cekerevac named grand final MVP and Eli Eaton season MVP.

In the mixed B-Grade, Bethel Blazers edged out Polletypus in a hard-fought grand final that had the sideline on their feet.

Ben Blechynden was grand final MVP and Adrielle Liwanag was named season MVP.

The summer beach volleyball season will begin on November 14 with registrations opening on October 12.

Spots are limited to eight teams, each with three to six players on the court with juniors playing from 4.30pm and seniors playing at 5.30pm at Middleton Beach.