NVL Division One
21 and 28 March 2009
Venue:
Riga 3 Sheffield 2 2 (25-23; 19-25; 20-25; 25-20; 15-13)
Riga 3 Malory 1 (23-25; 26-24; 25-23; 25-22)

Report written by Dan Turnbull

Coventry & Warwick Riga men equalled there best ever finish to a volleyball season, securing runners-up spot in English Volleyball’s top flight (National Division 1).

Lying in 2nd place with 3 games to go Riga had the unenviable task of playing newly crowned champions Sheffield 1, followed by a match against last years champions London Malory (currently lying third) and to finish of a tough away trip to London Polonia (sitting forth in the league).

First up were Sheffield 1 (Saturday 21st March 09), who were looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league and, had the previous weekend secured there place in the KO Cup final.

A tight opening set went to Riga 25-23. Sheffield took sets 2 and 3 fairly comfortable 25-19 and 25-20 and were in the driving seat to extend that unbeaten run.

An early run or serves in set four from Riga’s Manuele Monti, playing in his first game back after missing much of the season through injury, gave Riga the advantage.  This was to prove enough as Riga levelled the match 25-20.

And to a fifth set, with the average age of the sides differing greatly, Riga’s somewhere the 30’s whilst Sheffield’s at the most mid 20’s, what would prevail youth or experience?  The experience got off to a better start with Riga changing ends 3 points up (8-5) before Sheffield fought back to level at 11-11 and again at 13-13.  To wild celebrations both on court and from the bench, Riga took the fifth set 15-13, and the match, ending Sheffield’s 100% record for the season.

MVP was awarded to Piotr Rybarczyk

And so to this weekend (Saturday 28th March 09), Riga knew beforehand that a win over London Malory would guarantee them the National Division 1 runners-up for only the second time in the clubs history.  A feat made somewhat harder when you take into account that Riga had never beaten Malory at their home venue.

Each of the 4 sets played followed a similar pattern, Riga would open up a sizable lead by the mid point of the set, thanks in part to some good service pressure, only for Malory to peg back this advantage and make for a tight finish to each of the sets.

Losing the opening set 25-23, an improved blocking display from Riga acted as a solid foundation to winning the next 3 sets 26-24, 25-23 and 25-22, to take the match 3-1. 

MVP was awarded to Kees de Hoogh