Wellington-based Pines and Christchurch's Shirley Silverbacks have been crowned champions of the 53rd Volleyball New Zealand Club Championships on Saturday taking out the men's and women's finals at the Trustpower Baypark Arena in Tauranga.

Pines Men came back from 2-1 down against the defending champion Shirley Silverbacks, winning an incredibly tight fourth set 25-23 before finishing the job 15-10 in the fifth and deciding set - cheered on by a raucous travelling crowd.

Coach Colin Redpath, in his final game with the club, reflected on a fairy tale finish in a game that swung towards both sides over the two hours.

'We're elated,” says Colin. "It's been an amazing journey this year there has been a lot that has gone on behind the scenes but to put it together and win it for many those guys who haven't won a title before it's absolutely fantastic.

'The momentum changes were crazy, there were times where they were in total control, and we didn't change stuff up in the third set. We rotated around and big Roy Ching started firing which was big and we got a few blocks.”

Colin hailed New Zealand volleyball ledged Benjamin Glue, the opposite proving key once again, making a number of huge plays in the pivotal fourth and fifth sets.

'Of course, there's Benjamin Glue, it's probably his last nationals – although we might convince him to come back and he's a fantastic person and he just adds so much,” says Colin.

Shirley Silverbacks women's team win in the final. Photo: Julie Maree Photography.

Earlier on Saturday, the Shirley Silverbacks women's team, coached by Sam Ryburn, did get their championship, the Christchurch team accounting for East Coast Thunder with a 3-0 win in the final.

The side completed an almost perfect tournament from start to finish – not dropping a set in the five-game pool round before beating Manukau South 3-1 in the sand then finishing the job clinically with the 3-0 final win.

In Division 2, Harbour Raiders A took out the women's title with a 3-2 victory over WBOP Phoenix Blue while Hamilton Huskies A saw off Harbour Raiders B 3-0 in their final.

If you missed the action, catch On-demand coverage via www.volleyballnz.org.nz

Volleyball NZ is also excited to confirm that Baypark Arena will once again by the venue for the 2023 Club Championships event in October with full date and competition details to follow in due course.

Volleyball NZ Club Championships 2022 – Saturday October 15
Trustpower Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Saturday October 15

Women's Division 1

Final: Shirley Silverbacks 3-0 East Coast Thunder
Bronze Medal match: Tauranga Women A 3-1 Manukau South A

Men's Division 1

Final: Pines Men 3-2 Shirley Silverbacks
Bronze Medal match: Harbour Raiders A 3-1 Pioneer Panthers A

Women's Division 2

Final: Harbour Raiders A 3-2 WBOP Phoenix Blue
Bronze Medal match: University of Waikato Kahu 0-3 Otepoti Vikings VC Women

Men's Division 2

Final – Harbour Raiders B 0-3 Hamilton Huskies A
Bronze Medal match: North Harbour Dragons A 3-1 Rotovegas Men

For all results and draw information from the 53rd VNZ Club Championships, click here.