Melbourne University Renegades take out top honours at Warrnambool Seaside Volleyball Tournament

Victorian Volleyball League powerhouse Melbourne University Renegades flexed its muscle on Monday, defeating Monash in a five-set climax to the men's honours division at the seaside tournament.

It marked an honours division double for Melbourne University. Its top-grade women also saluted.

Renegades mentor Gus Cirillo said the Warrnambool tournament was a vital part of his club's pre-season schedule.

"It's been one of the tournaments we've come to since it began in 1975. For us, our team, it's a good opportunity for us to get ready," he said.

"For us, it's very important. It's really important that regional tournaments continue.

"We had seven teams we put in this year and it's really important across the board."

Cirillo, who has attended the tournament for 41 years, said the victory over Monash created momentum for his club's state league campaign.

Melbourne University is vying to make amends for a Victorian Volleyball League grand final defeat.

"It's important for us to have a good start because we're playing (Southern Cross Cobras) who beat us in the grand final last year," Cirillo said.

"We'll also prepare with training, match practice and a heavy pre-season.

"We begin at the end of January and our season doesn't start until March so it becomes a good pre-season for us.

"The guys know they have to work hard and work smarter to be able to compete with the best."

Defence was among the most pleasing aspects of Melbourne University's play against Monash and Cirillo charged his players to maintain intensity leading into the season proper.

"We eventually got our blocking better, particularly in the fourth and fifth sets," he said.

"It makes it easier when you can stop it at the net. You don't have to defend so much down the back.

"From that perspective, it was pleasing. There was some really good stuff there to work with."

In other results, Phantoms won men's division one, while Renegades Blue secured women's division one at three sets to one.

Heathfield Red (three sets to one) saluted in men's division two, while VFUM Lady Spikers were too good in women's division two, winning three sets to love.

Wallabies were dominant in men's division three, recording a thumping three-to-love victory while Austral Phoenix also scored a three-to-love win in the women's division three.

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