Women’s 2nd face mixed fortunes at home

NVL Division 3C, 1st October 2006
Warwick Riga II 3 City of Bristol 1  (25-22 24-26 25-15 25-19)
Warwick Riga II 1 Cambridge 3 (25-17 16-25 12-25 22-25)

Report by Penny Smith

Warwick Riga ladies second team faced their second weekend of matches this season on the 1st of October in Warwick, and began with a comfortable 3 sets to 1 victory over City of Bristol.

 

Warwick started the game with a 25-22 win and lost the second set by a close margin of 26-24, coming back to claim the third by a clear 10 points thanks to some inspired blocking and hitting by opposite player Michele Peryer.

 

Due to a 2-1 lead that Warwick had in place, Andy Collins was able to bring on new team member and promising player Annabelle Cheetham, who helped Riga take the game 3-1.

 

The next game proved a little tougher for Warwick, facing Cambridge, a team that had just been relegated from Division 2; however Warwick worked exceptionally hard and took the first set 25 -17 thanks to some excellent setting by Clare Francis. Coach Andy Collins commented that this was the best volleyball he had seen the team play and that it showed the strength, skill and ability of the players.

 

Warwick began the second set on a high; however this was soon to be a test of mental strength as they faced some tough serving and had a run of points against them, losing the set 25-16. Unfortunately Warwick were unable to pick up their inspired play from the first set and lost the next set 25-12 and the final set 25-22 after a great 10 point comeback, with powerful serving from Maja Abremek, and good court coverage from both outside hitters Jayne Warman and Penny Smith

 

Warwick were left realising that they have work to do in order to seek the promotion that they are hoping for this season; however with a strong team and an inspiring coach they are hoping that they will continue to progress and be victorious when they play Cambridge again later in the season.

 

Warwick’s next game is a cup game to be played in Dartford on Sunday 15th October.