Ladies take Shape

Prosport NVL Division 2, 21st September 2003
Warwick Riga 3 Shape Mavericks of Malmesbury 1 (25-14 25-22 23-25 26-24)

It was a close shave for the first team ladies last weekend as they managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The team is still struggling to maintain consistency in their performance as depicted by the set scores. They had Mavericks on the rack by the end of the second set. Rachael McCarthy stepped into the breach to set in place of injured Liz Young and held things together well. Fortunately the ball in was accurate and consistent and McCarthy wasn’t put under too much pressure initially. Marinella Cadoni and Sally Keates were strong through the outside and the Maverick’s block failed to make much of an impact. When Mavericks did get side outs, they failed to convert mainly due to poor serving and lack of fire power with only one strong hitter.

Rachael McCarthy : stand-in setter performed admirably
 Riga appeared in control again in the third set and it looked in the bag until Mavericks suddenly found themselves on a run thanks to several unforced errors from the home side. Their main outside hitter won point after point with uninhibited play and Riga’s defence started to crumble as, for no reason, panic set in. Chances to get back into the set were squandered as serves were netted and free hits wasted. A time out from Young rattled a few cages and Riga re-grouped and began to pull back but Mavericks managed to hang on, scrambling madly to pick up ball after ball and clinched the set 25–23.
The fourth set proved to be a nail biter. It was nip and tuck up to 10 a piece until Mavericks surged ahead forcing Young to call a time out at 18–12 down. Easy balls were dropping in the Riga court as players became tentative and confidence levels started dropping as minds turned to a possible Riga collapse. Young managed to raise the spirits and the girls fought back and brought the score level. Cadoni again scored some crucial points with some very impressive hitting which the Maverick’s defence couldn’t even get a hand to. Riga saved a set point at 23–24 and then lost the side out after a huge rally. Keates then managed to find the line to give Riga their first match point which was converted with a tactical ball dumped behind the Maverick’s block and gave the home side their second straight win.

Young said after the match ‘I was really impressed how well the girls held it together – last year they probably would have thrown the towel in, but in the last two sets they really battled and in the end won through.’ Again there were strong performances from Cadoni and Keates and Rachael McCarthy deserved praise for her steady setting.

This weekend Riga face Cleobury and have a distinct home advantage with the assurance of having two wins under their belt. Cleobury, on the other hand, have lost two five setters to Tameside and Salford. However, Riga cannot be complacent against this tight knit unit renowned for their defensive play.

Sally Keates: Strong Performance

Liz Young