The Monash University women’s volleyball team has proudly brought home the gold medal from the UniSport Nationals in Canberra, firmly cementing their status as one of the most dominant teams in the competition. 

Held between September 8-13, this remarkable achievement is a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence and showcased Monash’s elite athletic prowess on the national stage.

Arwen Verdnik, Team Organiser and an elite athlete who also competes at the national level, has been instrumental in the team’s success.

This was Arwen’s third time representing Monash at the UniSport Nationals, and it was a momentous occasion for her and the team.

When asked about her feelings post-tournament, Verdnik shared:

“When we go away, we love spending heaps of time together, and playing volleyball is such an emotionally, physically intense thing that when you come back and do regular things, they don’t feel as intense or satisfying. So definitely, we always joke about how we get post-tournament depression and like, separation anxiety after.”

The team's success on the court is not solely dependent on individual skill. 

Verdnik emphasises that the team atmosphere played a significant role in their victory. While she also competes at the club level, the experience of playing for Monash in the Nationals is unique.

“It’s really different,” she said.

“We take care of each other. We all make decisions together. It’s very democratic. It feels different to playing for a club where there’s a coach, and there’s a lot of internal politics and different kinds of pressure.”

“Whereas when we go away with the Varsity team, we just want to win for each other.”

Winning a medal has always been the goal for the team. Last year, they secured bronze, but this year, they set their sights on gold.

“We got bronze last year, and the team was better this year. We did a lot of preparation, and yeah, we went in with the mindset that we were going to win,” Verdnik explained. 

“So every game, we kind of said, let’s take just this one game at a time. We knew we had to win eight games in a row to win gold. So each time we won, we said, ‘Okay, we’ve got eight to go, seven to go, six to go.’ We definitely had our eyes on the prize.”

As both an elite athlete and a PhD student, Verdnik manages an incredibly demanding schedule, balancing her academic pursuits with her volleyball commitments.

“It’s hard, but they’re both very different,” she said.

“One is kind of a break from the other. During the day, I’m in student mode, working in a very clear academic environment. Then when I leave, I try to leave that there. Training is usually at night or in the morning, so it’s kind of out of hours, and I always look forward to it. Because they’re so different, it’s a nice contrast.”

Verdnik’s passion for volleyball is evident, and she credits the sport for motivating her on and off the court. 

“I love volleyball. There’s nothing like it,” Verdnik said. 

“Seeing my friends motivates me. I’m playing at the moment in the Australian Volleyball League. After today at uni, I’m flying straight to the airport to play for the Melbourne Vipers in Adelaide.”

“Volleyball is a growing sport in Australia. Just in the last three years that I’ve played in the AVL, it’s changed a lot. It’s now live on SBS, there’s more funding, and there’s a lot more excitement around it. Volleyball was the fastest-growing sport in Australia last year. Being part of that growth is really important to me because I think volleyball is exciting to play and watch, and it could be bigger in Australia.”

Looking ahead, Verdnik is excited about her future in volleyball. While her win at Nationals was a major goal, there are many more milestones she hopes to achieve in the sport.

'Well, winning Nationals was definitely a goal that’s been on my mind for a while,” she explained.

“I’d love to keep playing AVL. It’s very competitive, and every year, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get re-signed or re-picked. I definitely want to keep pursuing that.”

“While I’m doing my PhD, there are opportunities to play professional volleyball in Europe. That’s still a bit down the road for me development-wise, but I would love to do that someday.”

Reflecting on the sport, Verdnik added, “Volleyball is growing so fast, and there’s so much to achieve here in Australia. Growing as a volleyball player is like growing as a person—becoming more confident, more in touch with yourself, more consistent, and more dedicated. It’s something you can always strive to do.”

The Monash women’s volleyball team’s triumph is a testament to their hard work, unity, and unwavering determination. Their gold medal at the UniSport Nationals marks a significant chapter in their journey, with even greater goals on the horizon.

For the full results, visit the Team Monash Facebook and Instagram!

Written by Antonia Xu