Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Match Report: Watford, Away 16th October 2005

1-3 loss: 14-25, 25-21, 12-25, 16-25

Team : Ivan Dunleavy, Jem Clark, Jonathan Glenn, Neil Bennett (Capt), Nicolas Lasbistes, Paul Clarke, Sara Clarke & Tim Chandler; Coach: Nigel Collins

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club lost its opening Herts League match 1-3 (14-25, 25-21, 12-25, 16-25) away to Watford at the YMCA on Sunday. For Vale, Paul Clarke led with a team-high 7 kills and Nicolas Lasbistes was voted most valuable player by his team-mates for a good all-round performance including a team-high 9 digs as well as strong hitting and blocking contributions. With honours even with Watford last season, Aylesbury went into the match looking for a win. After losing the first set on mistakes under sustained Watford pressure, Vale reduced its error rate to stay ahead in the second to take the match to one apiece. But Vale then started making too many unforced errors in all phases of play. Watford repeatedly regained service easily and then piled on the points against the Vale service reception. A Vale rally with spectacular defence from Lasbistes in the fourth was too little too late, and Watford closed out the set comfortably.

Set 1 rotation (1 to 6): Jem (MB), Tim (OH), Jonathan (S), Nicolas (MB), Paul (OH), Sara (S).

Set 2 rotation (1 to 6): Sara (S), Ivan (MB), Paul (OH), Jonathan (S), Nicolas (MB), Neil (OH).

Set 3 rotation (1 to 6): Jem (MB), Tim (OH), Jonathan (S), Ivan (MB), Neil (OH), Sara (S).

Set 4 rotation (1 to 6): Sara (S), Jem (MB), Paul (OH), Jonathan (S), Nicolas (MB), Tim (OH).

Nigel.