This was our first home match of the season. All players were looking for a win. Riga won first serve, which meant the first attack was to be by York. Riga put York under pressure on the service and York were only able to set the ball out to four where Riga managed to seal the block and take the first point. This was to be for the next three points before York sided out. Strong serves from York gave them the next two points. The teams traded points for a while and despite some strong hitting from Chris and Ezra, York managed to take the edge and take the lead 15 - 9 . Things were not going well, so Riga made 2 substitutions. The teams traded points but at each side out York took a few extra points. A good start from Riga was undone as Riga just seemed to just throw points away. York took the first set 25 -19.
With heads a little down Riga knew tehy had to pick themselves up. Riga had to take the game to York if Riga wanted to win. With York to serve, it meant Riga had the first attack. Once again it was a good start for Riga with a kill from Paul's hit, Riga took the service and the next few points. Heads were up Riga knew it could beat this team. By no means are they better than Riga. Points are once again tradded and the teams were literally neck and neck. At 14 -13 to York the Riga passing unit crumbled and the team started to make unforced errors giving Bart (as setter) no options and enabling York to increase the lead to 23-13 . Finally Riga won the service back and scored a few points on individual attacks and with some good blocking from Peter and Tom Y. Riga closed the gap but too late, at a final score of 25 -19 York take the second set.
Riga now had to put every last bit of effort into the third set to take the game to five sets. York were not going to roll over and give Riga a easy set. Both teams started well and were trading points through to 19 -19 where York call a time out. This did not disturb the Riga etam though and the took the next two points. There was the light at the end of the tunnel - Riga jsut had to stay strong. A kill from York's outside hitter (who was York's MVP) brough them back into it and Riga faced a score of 23 all. With York to serve Riga had the first attack but once again unforced errors occured and York went ahead, 24 -23. With all to play for to keep Riga in the game York served and won the point with an ace. It can only be described as a poor finish as the red sea parted for Riga on what it is sad to say was not a hard service. York took the game set and match 25- 23.
Summary of match report writer!
Things have to improve for the next match we lacked confidence in passing and was limmited to attack options, unforced errors had to be cut out.
MVP - Tom Young
From a bad first match and realising their mistakes it was time to put the first match behind the team. With Riga to serve they take the first point. Coach Alana had decided to use Chris as libero in the second game and with this introduction the passing was much improved, with Steve as setter having less running around to do. This meant there were several hitting options opening up and everyone could see the true potential Riga had to offer. Despite some errors and a time out being called at 12- 4 to Preston (!), Riga kept their heads to force levelling the score 20 - 20. Preston called atime out hoping to break Riga's run of points. However, Riga were not fazed and took the first set 25 - 23.
Riga looked a different side from match one growing in confidence. Introducing middle attackers along with our opposite attack Preston were finding it harder to read our game plan. Riga worked hard all round, with good passing, setting and strong hitting along with some more inteligent play at times. Riga were making the most of every ball. However, despite having a lead at 17 -14 Riga lacked a little concerntration. Alana called a time out to shake Riga up and settle the players down in order to get them back into a more possitive rhythm. Riga fought on to take the set 25 - 23 - another good win.
In the third set, Riga continued the good passing from the libero and kept strong in defece. It was a little bit like deja-vu, as Riga took the 3rd set with the same score - 25 - 23. With points close at the end of each set Riga closed out well and kept their heads. Good strong positive play by all team members.
Summary of match report writer!
Keep the passing strong, cut out our mistakes and the season could well be in our grasp.
MVP - Ezra Baydur
