Riga men's 1st team make it 3 out of 3!
NVL Division 1, 29 September 2007
3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-20, 23-25, 15-6)
Match Report by Chris 'kiwi' Anderson
Riga’s M1 team travelled to Cambridge for their third game of the season. Following strong performances in their previous two matches and mixed volleyball from Cambridge, Riga entered the game as favourites. Traditionally, Riga has struggled against Cambridge away and Riga were eager to improve this record.
The first set started with neither side managing to edge ahead. Strong serving from Cambridge’s Vaclav Petricek gave them a narrow lead. Riga failed to peg back this back and lost the set narrowly, 23-25.
This provided the shake up that Riga required and they started the second set with more energy and spirit. Riga clearly had the attacking edge over Cambridge, with Kees de Hoogh connecting perfectly with setter Phil Wyles. Chris Anderson (Eng) found excellent rhythm with his jump serve and increased the pressure on Cambridge with a strong service run in the middle of the set. A dogged Cambridge continued to scramble and serve well but Riga closed the set out 25-22.
The third set mirrored the second, with Riga continuing to build momentum. With Wyles continuing to distribute the ball well, Riga took the set comfortably, 25-20.
Unfortunately, a complacent Riga took the court for the fourth set. Cambridge sensed this early and continued to pressure the Riga passers with more service pressure. Strong outside hitting from Vaclav Petricek and Ed Ekanem of Cambridge helped them to edge ahead and take the set, again by a narrow 23-25.
Having lost both previous away matches against Cambridge in the fifth set, Riga took the court with a steel resolve. Riga took firm grasp of the set with outstanding blocking from John Gilling and de Hoogh. Cambridge wilted under the pressure and Riga won the set and the match with a comfortable 15-6 scoreline.
MVP for Warwick Riga was awarded to Kees de Hoogh while Vaclav Petricek received it for Cambridge.
Next up for Riga are last season’s double winners, and the only other unbeaten team in Div 1, London Docklands.
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