Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Buckinghamshire Volleyball

Vixens lose against Berkhamsted but still showing signs of improvement

28 Oct 2007

Vale Vixens 0
Berkhamsted 3
14-25; 22-25; 14-25

The 1st HVA League match of the 2007/8 Volleyball season saw Vale Vixens up against last years runners up Berkhamsted. It was always going to be a tough tie for a Vixens team who only made their league debut in the previous season.

The team welcomed the addition of new setter Ania Scigala to the squad, along side the usual suspects, Heather Fairweather and Anette Ellis (Setting), Rebecca Little-Lasbistes and Angela tape (Middle) with Patricia Guest and Ellie Austin (Outside).

Berkhamstead raced to an 18-10 lead as Vixens initially struggled to find their rhythm in attack. Some defensive errors in back court allowed Berkhamsted to increase the margin and the 1st set finished with a comfortable side-out for the visitors.

In the second set however, Vixens re-grouped and demonstrated a totally different attitude chasing every ball. Berkhamsted, taken by surprise found themselves on the back foot as a much closer 2nd set unfolded. Steady serving from Patricia and Ania, maintained Vale´s progress. Good blocking from Rebecca and Patricia forced a string of mistakes from Berkhamstead´s main attack through the Middle. The passing from Ania and Annette was flowing with ease, allowing for some aggressive hitting by Patricia and Ellie. Vale were on top, and Berkhamsted found themselves forced into a series of substitutions and time outs in an attempt to disrupt a rampant Vale. As the set was in the balance at 22-22 Berkhamsted called a timeout having previously used their allocated two timeouts per set. The time-out however was allowed to go ahead and Berkhamsted went on to take the 2nd set 25-22.

In third and final set, Vale were slow out of the blocks allowing Berkhamstead to develop an 8-1 lead. More steady serving from Ania together with good cover from Angela at the back and powerful hitting from Patricia was not enough to reduce the margin and Berkhamsted went on to take the final set 14-25.

This was another spirited performance from the Vixens. It is clear to see the self-belief, attitude and team spirit that runs through the squad. This is a team improving with every game.

Team: Ellie Austin (c), Rebecca Little-Lasbistes, Heather Fairweather, Ania Scigala, Patricia Guest , Angella Tape, Annette Ellis