Anna Gardiner is a taking a break from volleyball – and she’s certainly earned it.

Last year the Marlborough Girls’ College year 11 student had a season to remember.

Usually an outside hitter, Gardiner was selected as libero for the MGC senior side which won the division two title at the nationals volleyball champs.

Her efforts earned her selection in the Tasman-based Te Totara team which toured the Gold Coast of Australia in August, playing Queensland regional teams.

Then came the season highlight, Gardiner captaining the MGC junior team to victory at the South Island junior tournament in Christchurch during November. Playing in her regular position, she led from the front, being named tournament MVP.

After the indoor event concluded, Gardiner teamed with fellow MGC player Isabella Rohloff in the beach volleyball champs, finishing second, then the pair backed up with a fourth placing at the beach volleyball nationals.

The junior team’s win was the highlight of my sporting career so far,” said Gardiner. “Everyone in the team put in heaps of effort during games and training.”

In the final, MGC beat St Andrews College 2-1. “It was relatively close,” she said. “We always wanted to win but never expected to win.”

The 15-year-old relished representing her school at both senior and junior level in the same year, a rare feat, noting that there were different dynamics to deal with.

“It was different in the seniors, as I had to work on my ability more … and playing in a new position. Libero is different, but I really enjoyed the experience. Playing with the older girls I got to learn heaps off them as well. Then in the juniors I had to lead the team.”

She opted not to try out for the 2018 senior team which went to the national champs in early March, saying she just wanted to have a small break.

“I’m keen to get back into it soon though, the Tasman trials are in April.”

Gardiner also plays netball and basketball and, while admitting she likes different parts about all three codes, volleyball is her favourite.

“No other sport is really like it. In the other sports that I play you don’t volley a ball, you catch it or bounce it … you have to think a lot more in volleyball too, read the game. It’s not an easy game to play and I like that challenge.

“With its rules it’s very much a team game too. You can’t just have one good player … and it’s really hard to hide a weak player.”   

After starting volleyball as a year five student at Springlands Primary School, she has continued on a steep learning curve. Her Bohally year eight side won the local competition then, as a year nine student at MGC, her side came fifth at the South Islands.

There are large family footsteps to follow too. Her older sister Emma was a former MGC standout, captained MGC juniors to the SI title in 2014, making the senior team as a year 10 player and going on to play for the NZ juniors.

Anna has high hopes for the title-winning junior side as they all step up to senior level.

“Hopefully we can all get back together in 2019, have a good season, then in 2020, when we are all year 13, do really well.

“We have always been good at working as a team.”