National League Division 1, 11th January 2003, Tooting Aquila v Warwick Riga
Tooting Aquila 2
Warwick Riga 3 (18-25 26-24 19-25 25-10 10-15)
This was the first match back after the Christmas break therefore it was important to pick up where we had left off having only lost 1 game in 8.The team travelled to London to face our old rivals Aquila with virtually a full squad although this would be the first run out for Dutchman Tom Spijkers in almost 6 weeks after a bad ankle injury, it was also the first game for our new recruit from Spain, Alex Medina who had only managed a few training sessions with the team & was still trying to adapt to our system of play. However, the mood within the team was very good and the whole squad expected a very tough game but more importantly, to win!
The first set was a very scrappy affair from a Riga perspective with quite a few unforced errors and Aquila took full advantage of this and quickly opened up a 5-6 point lead which Riga ultimately could not close & the set was lost 25-18.However,one very positive factor which Riga could take from the set was the excellent form of Spaniard, Alex Medina who was thrown in to the action towards the end of the set, he strengthened the attack straight away and gave coach, Tom Young, far more options for the remainder of the match.
The second set was a very tightly contested affair with some excellent volleyball from both sides but Riga managed to hold their nerve & secure a very important set 26-24.The third set started extremely well for the visitors and things were looking good until once again too many unforced errors cost Riga their lead and eventually the set - the team now faced a huge task in securing the win they so dearly wanted & needed to maintain their league position.
The fourth set saw a change of tactics from the Warwick side as Young demanded a far greater level of consistency from his players & they duly responded in magnificent style. The attacks were fast, slick, varied & very well executed with some awesome hitting from Medina & De Hoogh which left Aquila reeling and unable to respond. The set was finally closed out to 20 with the Riga team in very good spirits after such an excellent performance - the key was to maintain this form in the final set.
The fifth & final set started with a superb point for the away team with Spijkers picking up a very difficult ball, Wyles leaping to set a ball that was going over the net & De Hoogh finishing off the rally with a fantastic, booming hit which set the tone for the final set. Riga took great heart from this play and opened up a 4 point lead which they never relinquished and when John Gilling put a superb block on Aquila’s most dangerous player, the set was virtually over & an excellent set was won a few points later 15-10.
The game had ebbed & flowed but coach Young was delighted with the superb attitude, spirit & skill level shown by his players when they were under extreme pressure and was quick to say just how important this victory had been to the ongoing development of the team.
Next up for Riga is a trip to Ellesmere Port in the last 16 of the Cup which hopefully should not present too many problems but Young will certainly not allow his players to be complacent & slip up against 3rd division opponents.