Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Buckinghamshire Volleyball

Vixens gain their first win of the season, and there is more where that came from!

04 Nov 2007

Vale Vixens 3
Harriers 2
25-20; 19-25; 25-21; 25-27; 15-9

Team spirit finally paid off as Vixens grabbed their first victory of the season in style against the Harriers of St Albans. It was a 3-2 thriller and the girls can be proud of getting through this difficult encounter on top.

Vixens started poorly in the first set, making several errors in attack. Despite two aces in a row from Suzanne Kruize, Harriers steadied with a service ace of their own to lead 15-6. Vixens fought back. Good defense from Ania Scigala, and strong blocking from Rebecca Little-Lasbistes forced several opposition attack errors. Vale took the lead 19-18 and continued in fine form to take first set in style, 25-20.

In the second set Harriers built up a 5-point lead again, but this time they were not prepared to surrender the set. Harriers showed more determination than Vixens and ended up taking a close set 19-25.

The third set was even from the start with Vixen taking up a narrow lead. Good setting from Heather and Ania allowed clever and aggressive hitting from Suzanne and Ellie. Vixens had found the weaknesses in the Harriers defense and won the third set 25-21.

The fourth set was a thrilling demonstration of passion and team spirit from both sides. At 19-19 both team showed attitude and commitment in their play. Vixens were becoming more aggressive as they began to belie in themselves. With the game in the balance at 25-25 two defensive errors allowed Harriers to take the third set 27-25.

The final set presented a Vixens team full of self belief lead by influential captain Ellie Austin. Fun and desire to win this game could be seen in every player´s attitude. All the training in defense, passing and hitting skills started to pay off. Harriers had no answer and the vixens won the final set 15-9 to cap a 2 hour extravaganza of intense, fun and challenging play.

Coach Nicolas Lasbistes had only one thing to say at the end of this thrilling encounter. "Well Done Vixens, I am proud of you!!!"

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