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The Bendigo representative squad scored a stunning win in Monday's Volleyball Victoria Country Championships gold medal game at Bendigo Stadium.
Bendigo went into the gold medal game against Latrobe Valley as the underdog after the visitors defeated the home side in the preliminary rounds.
When Latrobe Valley won the first set of the final 25-22, Bendigo looked in for a long afternoon.
However, Bendigo rallied and, with setter Laura Roberts controlling the Bendigo attack and Holly Eason defending well, the team won the second set 25-23.
With the match evenly balanced, Bendigo took its game to another level.
The home side raced through the third set 25-12 on the back of some brilliant winners from Sheridan Olsen and Elsie Rodgers.
The fourth set was even more dominant as Bendigo won 25-8 to clinch the gold medal.
While the women celebrated victory, Bendigo's division one men's side was forced to settle for silver.
Bendigo advanced to the grand final as the number one seed after winning all of its preliminary matches.
However, all of those matches went to five sets and the heavy workload over the weekend took its toll in the gold medal game against Horsham.
The visitors started strongly and Bendigo was forced to play catch-up.
Despite the strong play of Bendigo trio Elliot Beks, Adrian Fox and Josh Gordon, Horsham won in straight sets 25-17, 25-21, 25-17.
"We (Bendigo) just couldn't get our game going today, especially blocking pressure, which allowed Horsham to control the game with their attack. They played well and deserved the win,'' Bendigo coach Todd Broadbent said.
Bendigo did take home the gold medal in men's division three after defeating Geelong in a five-set thriller, while the division three women finished with a bronze medal.
Bendigo players dominated the All-Star Seven teams.
Matt Gordon and Josh Gordon made the men's division one team.
Elsie Rogers, Emma Regan, Sheridan Owen, Laura Roberts and Holley Eason gave Bendigo five of the seven players in the women's division one team.
In men's division two, Evan Jenkins and Liam Clegg were rewarded for strong performances, while Kilby Todd was named in the women's division two All-Star squad.
Division three had a strong Bendigo flavour. Tafara Mahindura, Jacob De Salvo and Gary Mullins were named in the men's All-Star squad, while Sian King, Olivia Walklate and Darian King were honoured in the women's division.
Next year's championships will be held in South Gippsland.
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