Devils struggle against a injury prone EG!

A trip to EG isn’t the same without someone getting lost, a couple of minor detours for team Churcher meant that Chantelle et al had been waiting a while and were mid warm up by the time they turned up.  While Agi was still no-where to be seen, the locals were learning new Polish swear words and her new sat-nav was in danger of being thrown out the widow!

Worthing had a small but strong squad with Chantelle, Trees, Brinee, Agi, Mel, Sintija and Em.  EG1 on the other hand had a team assembled on the day registering players, playing players up and players missing or playing with injuries!

A up-beat Devils started well with Agi and Sintija serving deep and putting EG under pressure from the start.  A good first ball in and setting meant that Worthing sided out first time for the first five servers until Paulina stepped up and served 5 on the trot bringing EG back to 10-15.  Sintija not wanting to be outperformed took up the challenge and served the next 7 points supported by good hitting from Trees and Agi.  This was a fairly comfortable set (25-16) and the game looked like it would be a quick 3-0 and drive down to the Market Dinner to meet Vipers for a fry up to celebrate a double win.

However EG1 came out like a different team in the second set, the early nervous and communication issues miraculously disappeared, while Devils looked a little complaisant making numerous serve errors and gave easy points away.  A Brinee dive early on showed how committed and determined to win they were, but EG never let a ball hit the floor with fantastic cover all round.  Brinee's dive was matched and exceeded by Mandy's pancake which turned the momentum towards EG and you could see the tension get to a couple of Devils as hitting errors started to creep in at the end of the set, which finished 25-21.

Set three saw Devils come out fighting and again Sintija's bullet serving gave Devils a strong start 6-3 and they kept that lead through the set up to 11-15, until they got stuck on a rotation with Vanya serving, supported by Paulina hitting well through four which turned the game in EG flavour 19 -15.  Strong hitting from Chantelle kept Worthing in the set and the referee did well controlling the game as the tension cranked up at 24-24, with Anna  picking up what looked like a sure winner from Chantelle and EG then got the rub of the green with the net being kind to them to win the set 26-24 after some great play from both teams.

Captain Sintija rallied the troops and while there were some early serve errors from both teams, Mel stepped up and with controlled serves deep to five and a strong attacking line at the net Worthing built a lead.  Two stuff blocks from Brinee along with a couple of screamers one from Brinee and the other from Sintija that even the solid defence of EG couldn't get hands too edged it as Devils got into full swing winning 25-15.

Devils looked more relaxed and were keen to start the final set after winning the fourth. Emma came on to give another strong serve in the short set and another calm head on court (cough cough), while Agi made more noise off court than all the players and supporters combined!  Again this was a competitive set with good play from both teams. Devils started strong with Brinee serving well and built a four point lead from the start, but good cover by Vanya and Paulina kept EG in the game and a stuff block by Louise had Worthing on the back foot for a moment before Mel again helped them compose themselves with her consistent serve and back court setting to finish strong 15-11.

Considering the makeshift/injury heavy team this was a great performance by EG and goes to show how good the Sussex Volleyball League is - both teams will be looking to prove a point in the rematch!

Vipers tame the Dragons

Vipers returned to Eastbourne for the second week in a row, but without Mark and Matt Lay to take on their second team. Nigel turned out for his first match of the season playing through the middle with Andy setting, Mickey opposite, Andrew middle, Damo outside, Matt Smith outside and Richard as Libero.

The Vipers struggled to find their groove in the first set, but never really looked like losing it with Nigel soon finding his feet through the middle? Better hitting from Matt in the second saw Vipers close it out to 9 points and the final set was never in any doubt even moving Nigel to the outside and Damo through the middle.

So an early finish for a change and straight to the Market Diner! Damo picked up MVP.

A tired Devils take on Teela

After a tough five setter it was back to the high school to officiate another five setter Sharks against Llamdos, with Sharks improving every time they play.  It was great to see the same six players for two games on the trot and Ben being able to make it gave them a squad, although being thrown in at opposite was a big challenge for him!  Another good performance to push an experienced Llamdos so far and MVP to Kish.

Devils happily had Agi join them for this game although Gem couldn't leave Todd this time.  They started with Chantelle and Amy through four, Brinee and Agi in the middle and the usual Mel and Sintija as setter and opposite.  A slower paced game let Devils run the combinations and Mel and Sintija worked well running the cross over again once Agi had got over her surprise!  (Although watching the middle run away from the set was rather amusing in the second set - Trees!)  A comfortable 25 - 12 with Sabrina picking up 11 points from her serve and terrorising the players covering at five.

Set two saw Brinee move to four with Amy, Trees played through the middle and Agi, Mel and Sintija stayed as before.  The move to four didn't affect Brinee's serving as she continued to rain power serves down on Teela and Sintija joined in on the action.  A knee slide dive early in the set from Agi showed the commitment and determination from Devils to push on from their strong start and back court Agi was covering well picking up the tips well.  Sintija enjoyed a couple of screamers from back court.

In the third and final set Devils set up the same as in the second, with Chantelle coming on for Trees through the middle for part of the set.  Again the Brinee serve caused problems for Teela's serve receive giving the Devils a 9-0 lead.  Consistent line hitting from Sintija and Brinee worked well and a big middle hit from Chantelle finished off the game and set 25-12, 25-17 and 25-11.

MVP didn't surprise anyone - Well done Brinee although don't be so quick to step out of the pass!

No blood, but shed loads of sweat and tears!

Match day one for Worthing in the Div2 was always going to be a tough game, away to Dulwich Tusker who narrowly lost out in a playoff match to go into Division1. The core of last year's team were there but Gem and Agi stayed home to hang out with Todd and Oscar and the newbies couldn't play either, Paulina was on a Marco weekend and Tracy had dislocated a finger earlier in the week against Dolphins1. Although she showed great team spirit and came along to support!

 The morning started well with the sun shining and a smooth drive up to Tooting with DJ Brinee putting on an old Skool R&B set with the odd S Club 7 or hard rock thrown in for Trees. There was even time for a quick coffee pit stop/toilet break for those with weak bladders on route.

 The starting line-up for each set was Chantelle and Trees through the outside, Brinee and Em in the middle and Sintija and Mel opposite and setter.

While the first two sets looked close 25-23 and 25 - 20 in reality after a great first point with a text book pass from Chantelle, a lovely set and a power hit down the line from Sintija, Tuskers dominated the early rallies and Worthing were kept in the sets though their errors rather than good play. Worthing struggled with the basics they usually excel at including serving and serve receive and the tension on the court was palpable with even the usual up-beat Sintija getting emotional and making errors trying to force the issue. Late rallies in both sets gave a glimmer of hope and strong vocal support from Tracy and Amy on the bench and our two supporters Chandelle's mum and Craig on the horn, drums and tambourine helped lift the team. At 16 - 22 down in the first set it was strong serving from Chantelle that turned the game and got is to 23 - 22 before Worthing choked at the end losing the next 3 points.

A more positive start in the third set meant that Worthing trading points this time from the start and at the first technical time out were only one point behind. They started to push from here and slowly fought their way back into the third set. A better first ball in gave Mel setting options which she used wisely and this meant that the hits improved and for the first time they got to 16 first (16-14) from here they pushed hard. Some good hitting from Chantelle and Sintija carried the team over the line, but it was the return of the solid serve throughout the team and great first balls in from Trees (who seemed to magically be wherever the ball was going), that really made the difference, putting Dulwich on the back foot and stopping them running as many combination attacks.

In the fourth it was back to the slow start and it looked to have cost them the momentum and probably the set when they were 6-1 down. However Sabrina was starting to find her range and got Worthing back in the game and to 6-9 in front. A wobbly spell lead to high emotions on court but the team reacted positively with everyone covering well and Em settled nervous with a "Scum"-esq style piece of nonchalance pirouetting and hitting to a massive gap at 1, that was followed by a fantastic pick up in the next point which nearly gave everyone else palpitations in her current state! At this point the adrenaline on court was pumping and the crowd were generating energy and a fantastic atmosphere (just wait until we add the Latvians into the mix!). Emma's serving took us to 20-10, supported by Sabrina making a couple stuff blocks that Crockett would have been proud of! Everyone finally settled into their usual style of play finishing the fourth set strong and looking keen to get into the final set!

Again in the final set Sabrina started serving well with two aces and forcing a couple of shanks to give Worthing a 5-2 lead. Worthing went into the change of ends 8-6 up with Chantelle serving and the front court working hard Brinee made another stuff block and crowd were lovin' it! the score was 15-7 and a happy start to Div2 for Worthing. MVP went to Chantelle!

 The next games are 18th October home to South Hants and 19th October away to Richmond - Come along and cheer them on!

Vipers Back on Track

Vipers traveled away to Eastbourne Phoenix with the same squad that lost against Crawley last week. A nervous first set saw Eastbourne win a close set with Vipers continuing to struggle with their first pass. The second set saw a better first pass and less errors resulting in Vipers winning thanks to better hitting through the outside from Matt Smith and Damo.

Vipers started the third set poorly and very quickly were down 6-1. More noise, better defence and a good service run from Andrew saw the Vipers come back strongly to win the third. Vipers started strong in the fourth and won with relative ease having built up a big lead very quickly.

The Market dinner finished of the evening and we look forward to return trip next Monday against Eastbourne's newly promoted second team. Mark picked up MVP.

Poor Start For the Vipers

Vipers head for Eastbourne on Monday looking to restart their season following a  3-2 defeat away to Crawley. Following the loss of Dom and Edvin over the summer and without Nigel the Vipers started well winning the first two sets with relative ease. The third set was much closer but all of a sudden the Vipers first pass fell apart under pressure from strong float serving by Crawley. Things did not improve in the fourth set and by the final set the writing was on the wall.

So time to improve our first pass and get our season back on track against Eastbourne's first team which could be an even tougher test.

Septembers MVP's

The competition is on! Here are Septembers MVP's and Matt Smith picked up the first of October's most valuable players last night.