Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Match Report: Harriers Jets (St Albans), Away 19 October 2005

3-1 win: 25-19, 25-16, 15-25, 25-18

Team : Chris Seal (Capt), Jem Clark, Neil Bennett, Nicolas Lasbistes, Paul Clarke, Rosie Hawkins, Steve Smith & Tim Chandler; Coach: Nigel Collins

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club scored its first win of the season in the Herts League with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 15-25, 25-18) victory over Harriers Jets away at St Albans. Vale reaped the benefits of playing much more cohesively as a team and made fewer errors than in their opening league loss against Watford. Captain Chris Seal top-scored with 16 points with fellow wing hitter Paul Clarke close behind. Nicolas Lasbistes was voted Vale's most valuable player for numerous assists as playmaker setter and a team-high 22 digs in back court defence.

Vale took the first set comfortably 25-19 allowing new setter Rosie Hawkins to make her Vale debut in the second set. They continued to make the game look easy, winning the second set 25-16 with consistent service pressure and defensive cover from veteran utility hitter Neil Bennett. However, in a 15-25 third set loss, Vale errors and predictable attack options allowed Harriers back in the game. With an on-fire Lasbistes back on court in the fourth set, Vale raised their side-out game and cut down on errors. After taking an early lead, they duly closed out the set 25-18, taking the match 3-1.

Set 1 rotation (1 to 6): Paul (OH), Nicolas (S), Jem (MB), Chris (OH), Steve (S), Tim (M).

Set 2 rotation (1 to 6): Nicolas (S), Jem (MB), Neil (OH), Rosie (S), Tim (M) Paul (OH).

Set 3 rotation (1 to 6): Chris (OH), Rosie (S) (sub Nicolas 2:10) , Jem (MB) (sub Paul 11:21), Neil (OH), Steve (S), Tim (M).

Set 4 rotation (1 to 6): Nicolas (S), Jem (MB), Chris (OH), Steve (S), Tim (M) Paul (OH).

Nigel.