The Australian Men’s water polo team at the Universiade in Serbia, which features four WAIS athletes, has continued their outstanding start to the tournament by finishing their pool matches undefeated.
The team, which includes WAIS scholarship holders Luke Quinlivan, Aaron Younger, Joel Swift and Nick O’Halloran, backed up their opening game victory over Canada with a stunning win over the defending champions Montenegro on Friday before seeing off a challenge from Greece on Saturday.
Friday’s match saw the Australians, coached by WAIS water polo coach Paul Oberman, completely outclass the powerhouse water polo nation of Montenegro 16-6. Younger and O’Halloran both scored doubles while Swift also got on the score sheet with a single goal and Quinlivan pulled out 10 excellent saves in between the posts.
In an all-round team performance Oberman’s side scored five counter-attack goals and six in extra man attacks.
The boys in green and gold then continued their good form on the Saturday to defeat Greece 7-5. They jumped out to a 6-2 lead at three quarter time before being given a fright when outscored in the last stanza 3-1.
Younger and Swift both nabbed singles in the victory whilst Quinlivan was in great touch in the net, saving 13 of 18 shots the Greeks fired at him.
Australia next take to the water in a quarter final on Wednesday, with their opponent to be determined by Monday’s games in Belgrade.
