CROSSROADS caused the biggest upset in the University of the South Pacific Islanders Volleyball Association first round weekly competition last Saturday.
The team, made up of USP students, beat last season's champions Chips Black 3-0 at the USP Indoor Gymnasium.
Setter Joji Turakula and middle player Osea Tuamoto combined well to give Crossroads the perfect start in the super premier grade.
Chips Black had the services of former national beach volleyball rep Apenisa Saukuru. The national beach volleyball coach was not able to inspire his side as they were taught a lesson by the students.
The same Crossroads team had won the inter-tertiary volleyball competition at the same venue a week earlier when they played as USP.
USPIVA secretary Mereaia Belo said Chips failed to find the form and rhythm that allowed them to win the competition last year.
She said the standard of competition had improved and the registration of new teams further strengthened on-court rivalry.
"From what I saw in the knockout two weeks ago and the first week of competition today, the skills of players have improved and teams are stronger compared to last season," Belo said.
This year, the number of teams in the competition has increased from 12 men's teams to 16 and from four women's teams to eight.
In the women's competition, last season's winners Bulldogs started their title defence with a 2-1 win over Raiwaqa-based Brycelanders.
"This is only the first year of competition for the Raiwai-based side but they won the knockout competition two weeks ago and are proving to be a team to reckon with."
Belo has asked spectators at the competition not to interfere with the games.
"We had an incident where some rowdy supporters of a team questioned the referee in a certain game.
"We would like to remind people coming to watch the USPIVA competition to adhere to the rules and regulations and not to interfere with any games and the referee's decision is final," she said.
Competition continues on Saturday.