(03/11/2001)
A different coaching team, exciting new players and a whole new attitude could mark a new beginning for the Riga Women’s First Team. Already they have notched up 3 wins out of 3 matches in this, their third season in National League Division 2, dropping only 1 set. Just the start new coach Tom Young, Captain of the men’s Division 1 team, wanted. Ably assisted by Andy Collins, himself a National League player from Leicester, this new coaching regime, which started in August, has worked wonders with the squad of 11 players who have been training hard all summer.
Last weekend, with a 3 - 0 win over Cleobury, their nemesis from previous seasons, under their belt, the team faced Cambridge and Chelmsford at their home venue of St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Warwick.
Newcomer, Californian, Nancy Malone made her debut as off setter and produced a solid all round performance showing superb agility around the court. Riga clinched the first set 25 - 17 but the second set was shaky for Riga who netted serve after serve giving away any advantage. Assistant Coach, Andy Collin’s team talk at one set all did the trick and got the girls back on track in the third set which they blitzed 25 - 13 with powerful outside hitting from, captain Rachael McCarthy and Marinella Cadoni. Riga were cruising in the fourth at 10 - 6 but suffered a lapse in concentration on back court as the first pass went awry. At 18 -18 a time out was called and the girls re grouped. McCarthy then served her team to victory with the last word from big middle hitter Dawn Woolmer, connecting with setter Liz Young, to pound the winning spike into Cambridge’s court.
Sunday’s game against Chelmsford gave Coach, Tom Young, the opportunity to give all his squad a chance to perform. 6 foot utility hitter, Sarah Pochin, formerly of Leicester, did serious damage with some penetrating serving and dominated the net with her blocking. Michelle Lynam, again new to the club, took her turn at setting halfway through the match and continued to distribute the ball to keep the Chelmsford defence guessing. Again Woolmer won match point grounding the ball through a weak Chelmsford block giving a resounding 3 - 0 victory to Riga. Tom Young was delighted with his team’s performance “I can’t fault the girls’ attitude so far. With this will to win and the ability, plus the fact we’re a tall team, we have a very real chance of finishing in the top four if not actually winning promotion to Division One!” Captain, Rachael McCarthy, shares his enthusiasm saying “the team is transformed from last season, the players have much more confidence in their ability and the hard training is starting to pay off.”
The team’s away to Bristol next weekend, whom they beat in a pre season friendly in September, with the next home game being on Sunday 18th November, 12.30 pm, against Salford, potentially one of their toughest opponents having won the National Shield finals last season.