Reminder: the new rules are in operation this season. For further info, check EVA's new rules write-up and Hungarian site with examples
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18/11/09
In Div 1, Wildcats (Cardiff) won the battle of the two unbeaten sides beating Sandford 3-1. The first set was very close, with Sandford eventually winning it 27-25, but Wildcats struck back to win the second 25-14, and then finished the game 25-10, 25-13. The powerful hitting of Osman Rodrigez earned him the man of the match nomination for Wildcats, whilst Mike Klik starred for Sandford. Earlier both teams had beaten Bristol 3-0. Bournside have now moved into second place after wins over UWIC (3-0) and Stroud (3-1).In Div 2 Gloucestershire University I lead from Bournside II in second. In the game between the two teams University won comfortably 25-19,25-23,25-18. In only their second season in the league, Hartpury have had a great start, moving into 3rd place after wins over Cardiff (3-1) and Glos Uni II (3-0).
In the Women's League Bournside have now won 5 from 5, dropping only 1 set to Glos Uni I. Their latest victories were over Lydney and the Police. The University moved into 2nd after a close game versus Stroud. Emma Haendiges all-round play helped Stroud take the third set 25-23 after losing the first two 25-18, 25-20, but Jane Royles was key to the University winning the 4th set 25-21.
07/10/09
After the summer break, three of the four GVA divisions have now started their fixtures. Despite the loss of last year's GVA Div 1 Player of the Year Piotr Sznicer, who has returned to Poland, Sandford have made a great start, winning their matches versus Stroud and Bristol. They started slowly in both matches, losing the first set in each, but after the early setbacks they came through to win both matches 3-1. In the third game of the triangular fixture, Stroud beat Bristol 3-0.
In the Women's Division it has been a mixed start for the Gloucestershire University 1sts. After losing 3-1 to last season's runners up Bournside, the following day they beat the University 2nds 3-0, with Georgie Tinker's serving and hitting being the highlight. For the 2nds Trudie Staples played well in an inexperienced team.
In Men's Division 2 Lydney overcame a spirited Hartpury College side 3-0. Lydney were made to fight all the way in the first set, eventually taking it 25-23, but were more comfortable in winning the second and third sets 25-18, 25-16. Jack Lambert had a good game for Lydney, whilst player / coach Martin Norman was excellent for a Hartpury side containing a number of new players.
17/05/09
The first game on court was the Women's Cup final, with Bournside taking on Gloucestershire University. Neither side could get much of a lead early in the first set, but from 12-all the University went out in front 17-12, only for Bournside to inch back into it, captain Becky Newsome's serves clinching the set 25-22. Bournside rushed in front 19-8 in set two, Naomi Hopes' services proving very difficult to return, and although the University did better as the set progressed, they were unable to prevent Bournside winning it 25-17. At 16-9 in the third set Bournside appeared well-placed to breeze to a straight sets win, but Georgie Tinker's hitting and covering help bring the University back into the game. Both sides had a number of set points, but were unable to win them and take the set, though it took spectacular recovery from the University's Faye Roberts to keep them in the game when a misdirected shot looked likely to finish the match. Bournside's Helen Leach, whose flat serves had caused the University problems throughout, finally was able to serve Bournside to set the set 33-31 and the match 3-0. Players of the match were Bournside's Naomi Hopes and University's Georgie Tinker.
The Plate Final for losers in the early rounds of the Cup was contested between Cardiff Wildcats and Chosen Hill. Chosen Hill started the best, going 13-8 in front, with Mike Elliott's blocking standing out, but gradually Wildcats pulled back to 20-all, and Matt James was able to serve them to the set 25-20. Wildcats started set two well, quickly establishing a 13-4 lead, but Chosen Hill fought hard for every point, in particular Dan Reay with his attacks through the middle. Wildcats libero Martin Reed also made a number of outstanding recoveries in the back court, and Chosen Hill were never able to peg back the Wildcats lead as they won the set 25-16. Wildcats edged in to an early lead in the third set, but it was Matt James again whose run of serves extended the lead to a healthy 16-5, and although Chosen Hill kept on battling, Wildcats eventually won the set 25-17. Players of the match were Matt James for Wildcats, and Dan Reay for Chosen Hill.
Stroud gained revenge for last season's Cup Final defeat with a 3-1 win over League Champions Bournside. The score in first set was very close at 6-all, until Stroud hit a good rotation with Tasos Zodiates serving seven points. Despite a late rally by Bournside to bring the score back to 22-19, Stroud clinched the set 25-21. Set two was also close in the early stages, reaching 12-all, but this time it was a run of serves by Darek Romowicz which extended Stroud's lead, and they took this set as well 25-21. Bournside fought back in set three as setter Julio Robles and his hitters connected regularly, Brendan Beck's bad court attacks being particularly effective. From 12-all Bournside pulled away to lead 18-13, eventually winning the set 25-18. Set four saw the best volleyball of the match, as both sides set up powerful attacks, only for the opposition's blocking and covering to deny them the point. At 19-18 Bournside looked in with a chance of taking the match to a decisive fifth set, but Tasos Zodiates and then Matt Mollen were able to hold their nerve to win the set 25-20, and thus win the match 3 sets to 1. Players of the Match were the two setters, Stroud's Tasos Zodiates and Bournside's Julio Robles.
18/05/08
Caldicot retained the Women's GVA Cup with a 3-1 victory over League winners Bournside. The lead I the first set changed hands a number of times, and at 18-all the set could have gone either way. Lynne Gee then made a great run of serves to take Caldicot to the brink of winning the set at 24-18. Bournside managed to get two points back, but eventually Caldicot won 25-20. At 12-8 in the second set Caldicot looked well placed to go two sets in front, but excellent serving from Bournside player of the match Lucia Segova enabled brought the scores back to 18-all. Caldicot then edged in front 23-21, until Bournside were finally able to secure the set 25-23. Caldicot established an early 3-0 lead in set three, and despite Bournside's best efforts they were unable to counteract the hitting of Caldicot player of the match Sheila Woodward. Caldicot maintained their lead, and took the third set 25-19. The excellent covering work of the Caldicot players meant that Bournside were unable to make much impression in set four, and Caldicot eventually powered their way to the forth set 25-15.City of Bristol won the Men's Plate competition 3-0 against Bournside II. Despite Bristol's Division 1 status, Division 2's Bournside put up an excellent fight in the first set after a shaky start, and at 22-all the set was in the balance. Two Bristol substitutions seemed to make all the difference though, and they won the set 25-22. Bournside's self-belief grew in set two, where neither side was able to gain much of a lead, with both sides having trouble winning points against excellent defensive work. At 20-17 Bournside looked in with chance, but Chris Beer's control as setter gave the Bristol hitters a chance to get them back into the match, and they rallied to win set two 25-21. Bristol carried on in set three where they left off, and although Bournside continued to fight hard, including one marvellous retrieval by Bournside player of the match James Watson, Bristol went on to win the set 25-15.
Bournside's first team completed the double with a 3-0 win over arch-rivals Stroud in the Men's Cup Final. Bournside went in front early in set one, setter Julio Robles finding his hitters regularly, and they eventually eased in front 25-17. Set two was very close early on, with never more than two points between the sides. From 13-14 down however Bournside took control, eventually winning 25-20. The third set proved to be the closest of the match. Stroud Captain Paul Gaze served them to a 9-6 lead, and at 17-14 Stroud were looking good. However Bournside's Martin Gejdos then made a succession of great jump serves which turned the set in Bournside's favour at 21-17. Stroud were not yet out of it, coming back to trail by one point at 20-21, but Bournside held on and eventually took the set 25-23. Players of the match were Paul Gaze for Stroud and Julio Robles for Bournside.
11/05/08
Farmor's School Volleyball Club recently celebrated its 300th competitive match. The club which was formed in September 1990, plays in division 2 of the adult Gloucestershire Volleyball League. Player / coach David Tatlow who doubles as Head of Physics at the school, has been with the club since the start. ' I've not played in all 300 myself, perhaps 291 or 292' he says. ' I was injured for 1 match and have allowed the youngsters to play on their own in a few more '. Under David 's leadership, hundreds of students have been given the opportunity to learn the sport. ' A good number have continued to play volleyball at University and have subsequently joined clubs in areas that they have settled in '. 4 or 5 from Fairford have played for National League teams with one ex -player progressing to play in National League Division 1. He has subsequently represented Ireland in International competitions. David would like to acknowledge the financial support from Farmor's PTA over the past 18 years and the coaching assistance and general administrative support on match days provided by Rod Butler, Brian Richards and spouses, who used to run Cirencester Volleyball club.