Queensland Pirates and WA Hornets play out 0-0 AVL scoreline

Queensland Pirates hosted WA Hornets in an AVL fixture on 24 October 2026 that ended 0-0, a rare scoreline that highlighted the defensive discipline and tactical caution of both sides. The 16:30 start produced a contest full of long rallies, strong net defence and moments where neither team could find a decisive breakthrough.

The Pirates came in looking to use home advantage and an aggressive serve to dictate terms. The Hornets, meanwhile, arrived with a structured game plan built on reception stability and patience in transition. Those approaches collided in a match where the scoreboard never separated.

Match overview

The opening exchanges set the tone. Queensland served with ambition, trying to pull WA out of system, while the Hornets’ reception held up well enough to keep their setter moving the ball around. Both teams produced highlight-reel blocks, and the back-row defenders on each side repeatedly kept rallies alive.

As the match wore on, the tactical battle became clearer. Queensland looked to attack through the middle to open seams on the wings, while WA relied on pin hitters and smart tip shots to disrupt the Pirates’ defensive shape. Neither side could sustain a scoring run long enough to change the scoreline.

Key moments

• Lengthy rallies: Both teams traded defensive plays in extended exchanges, with liberos covering huge amounts of court.
• Net battles: The middle blockers on both sides recorded important stops, forcing attackers to adjust their angles.
• Serve-receive pressure: Queensland’s serve tested WA’s passing line, but the Hornets responded with composure.
• Transition chances: The Pirates created opportunities in transition, only for WA’s floor defence to keep the ball alive.

Tactical story

Queensland’s attacking plan was built around creating one-on-one chances for their outside hitters. The Pirates’ setter used the middle effectively in patches, but WA’s block adjusted well and closed the sharp angles. The Hornets’ defence was particularly impressive in the back court, where their libero and wing defenders read the play early.

WA’s offence was patient rather than explosive. The Hornets mixed power with placement, using tips and roll shots to keep the Pirates’ block guessing. That strategy helped them stay in rallies, but it also meant they struggled to build the kind of scoring surge needed to pull away. The 0-0 scoreline was a testament to how evenly matched the sides were in defence and error control.

Standout performers

For Queensland, the middle blockers were influential at the net and the libero produced a busy, reliable performance in defence. The Pirates’ setter kept the offence organised under pressure and found solutions when the WA block loaded up on the pins.

WA Hornets were led by their defensive unit, with the libero and outside defenders repeatedly extending points. The Hornets’ setter managed the tempo well, and their opposite hitter provided a steady outlet when the team needed a side-out.

Season impact

The 0-0 result leaves both teams with plenty to review. Queensland will feel they had chances to convert defensive pressure into a bigger advantage, while WA will take confidence from their resilience on the road. In a tight AVL season, matches like this can shape momentum, and both coaches will emphasise execution in transition as the next priority.