A welcome home match. Having defeated Reading easily a fortnight ago in the Cup, Riga were expecting another fairly easy win, and more valuable league points. Coach Tom used one of his favourite phrases in his pre-game talk…”Come on fella’s…we don’t want any banana skins!”, which I think translates from Scottish as we can’t afford not to take this team seriously so Riga took to the court with the right attitude from the start.
The first set was taken comfortably 25-18 by Riga. Fortunately for the author of this match report; Céline was taking notes to assist with the post match writing of the report. Here are some of my favourite anecdotes from her notes on the first set:
- Phil dives for a tip (wow) but we lose the point
- Reading makes scud
- Kiwi makes scud
- Time out 12-15 Reading. After discussion with Jules and Michaela we think I shouldn’t take notes as Kees refused to do ours
- Great pick up from J.G, kill hit from Cedric
- Good run of serves from Kees 22-14
- Good defense from Kees but Dan missed the ball over the net. Michaela says he wasn’t watching the ball…
Set 2 was taken comfortably by Riga again 25-16. Reading weren’t putting up much of a fight, although good performances from John, Kees, and Phil weren’t making things easy. Here are some of Céline’s highlights for set 2:
- Some players are tapping each other. How gay : )
- Leo, Johnny and Kiwi almost kissing gathering for the point! Gay!
- Anyway, Phil serves…in the net 3-1
- Dan and Kees roof block 5-1
- Kiwi hits backcourt, great pick up from Reading but Michele is in the way of the chasers. Riga wins the point.
- Tom puts on Frenchie II (Hakim) and takes Kees off.
- Ref appearing to have trouble telling the difference between a carry and a double touch so leaves Reading to do both when passing
- Tom complains but Ref II laughs…and us too!
- Dan is doing a good circus tight rope walker impression while trying not to penetrate!
- Good pass from Kiwi, combo from J.G. but Andy decides the ball is out
- Kees twats the ball in front of Readings libero!
- Dan misses serve at 24-16…bad, bad, boy!
As you can see from the commentary the set was quite interesting. Riga were looking to run combinations and also upped the level of blocking, with a number of roof blocks on the Reading attack.
The 3rd set was wrapped up 25-19 giving Riga a comfortable win. Highlights from the sideline were noted as:
- Power hit from Johnny G and he scores
- Dan dives but misses
- Kiwi misses pass
- Cedric gets roof blocked! 6-8, Readings leading!
- Reading serves out though
- Reading serves out again…bad! Well…good for us.
- Johnny G (maybe Dan?) roof block
- Dan stays 2 hours in the air to get the tip
- Ace from Dan
- Great set from Phil, Riga scores
- Cedric serves out…too much power…Jules is getting angry!
- Kiwi does worst set ever!! But ref disagrees
- Dan roof blocks and goes to serve
So, as the notes suggest it wasn’t the most clinical display of volleyball from either team, with a few errors apparent due to a lack of concentration at times, but there were some highlights, particularly the blocking and John and Kees’s hitting. MVP awarded to Johnny after a very good and consistent performance. Thanks to Céline for the match notes. |