Match Report: Phoenix 2, Away 27th November 2004

0-3 loss: 21-25, 22-25, 24-26

Team : Jem Clark, Jonathan Glenn, Nigel Collins, Nishi Saran, Roger Gudge, Sara Clark, and Sascha Stemme

Traffic congestion in St Albans delayed the match with both sides only having 3 players at the official start time.

Set 1 rotation (1 to 6): Nishi (OH), Jonathan (S), Jem (MB), Sascha (OH), Sara (S), Roger (MB).

Set 2: Nishi switched to setting instead of Jonathan, and Nigel came on as OH.

Set 3: Jonathan on setting instead of Sara.

Jonathan made his Vale debut against an experienced Phoenix team playing a 5-1 single setter system. We lost the first set 21-25, never really troubling Phoenix although we did improve after timeouts at 6-12, & 9-18. Although we could outhit Phoenix off a good set and put up an enthusiastic block at times, they were experienced enough to exploit our very static cover. Our serving was consistent but lacked penetration against their co-ordinated reception unit and veteran setter who managed to make something out of even the poorer digs.

In the second set we improved and stayed within a few points throughout finally losing 22-25. Blocking was now coordinated as well as enthusiastic and we had a good 2-person block on their outside hitter, with good spike reception around the inside edge of the block. Cover improved with some good pick-ups and speedy work by the backcourt setter. Spiking was still excellent off a good set. The setters started running the attacks better although there were still too many balls falling between middle and outside where the hitters gave Phoenix an easy return. We lost points through a couple of silly net touches and too many 50-50 balls dropped as both players covering backed off. We started slowly in the third set but recovered to lead at 12-11 and then again 20-18. We came back from 22-23 to serve for the set at 24-23 but then lost 24-26. Blocking again improved and we even got 2 blockers on their opposite hitter. Phoenix adapted and played more trickier balls over and around the block, sometimes catching the cover out of position, especially with long volleys deep to the corner. Their setter also scored a couple of cheap points with unexpected second phase attacks. Although we generally played better, we weren't quite consistent enough and lacked penetration when it mattered most.

Overall, it was a game I felt we should have been able to win and was disappointed we didn't quite put it all together. However, it was good to see the recent blocking training paying off, although we clearly need to work on communication, cover, and consistency.

Nigel.