Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club

Match Report: Volleyers v Harriers Jets, Home 8th October 2006

1-3 loss: 14-25, 25-21, 14-25, 22-25

Team : Ellie Austin, Ivan Dunleavy, Kevin Pistak, Sara Clark (captain), Graham Bird, Phil Mould, Jonathan Glenn, Gordon Braint; Coach: Jeremy Clark.

Officials: Neil Bennett (referee), Chris Seal (second referee) & Rosie Hawkins (scorer).

Aylesbury Vale Volleyball Club opened the new season with a loss as its new second team, Vale Volleyers, went down 1-3 (14-25, 25-21, 14-25, 22-25) to Harriers Jets of St Albans in its inaugural match in Herts League Division 2. Playing in their new home match venue at Sportspace Berkhamsted, Volleyers' players showed glimpses of their individual skills but needed more cohesion as a team. Injured player coach Jeremy Clark was upbeat that teamwork would improve with match practice and the increased confidence would make the team competitive.

After an even start, Volleyers got stuck on a problematic service reception rotation and allowed Jets' strong middle attack to clean up the first game 25-12. The second set showed what Volleyers were capable of as good blocking and pickups by Ivan Dunleavy and strong serving by Graham Bird gave them the game 25-21. The third game was similar to the first, despite a great hit by new player Kevin Pistak, tentative service reception led to a 14-25 loss. In the fourth Vale made a good comeback with strong serving from debutante Ellie Austin, voted Volleyers' most valuable player, but in the end Jets took the game 25-22 and the match 3-1.

Set 1 rotation (1 to 6): Kevin (OH), Sara (S), Ivan (MB), Ellie (OH), Jon (S), Graham (MB).

Set 2 rotation (1 to 6): Phil (OH), Gordon (S), Ivan (MB), Ellie (OH), Jon (S), Graham (MB).

Set 3 rotation (1 to 6): Phil (OH), Sara (S), Ivan (MB), Kevin (OH), Gordon (S), Graham (MB).

Set 4 rotation as set 1

Nigel/Jem.