Normal service is resumed for Women's second team!!

NVL Division 3C, 18 March 2007
Warwick Riga II 3 Cardiff Ladies 0 (25-15, 25-11, 25-18)
Warwick Riga II 1  Birmingham University 3 (15-25, 18-25, 25-21, 19-25)

Report by Michele Peryer

Riga arrived sporadically at Birmingham University, some arrived 45 mins early, others 10 minutes late (we won't mention names, they know). After what seemed like a quick warm up, first 6 started on court (Clare, Jayne, Maja, Michele, Penny & Ellie).

First serve was unfortunately sided out (errrr), this was made good by some strong serving by Jayne. Confidence started to grow throughout the set which allowed Andy to substitute Annabel for Jayne. Riga closed the set after 17 minutes.

The second set continued with Riga in control, some strong hitting by Penny and careful placed balls by Ellie. This didn't give Cardiff any possibility of coming back. Riga again closed the set after 17 minutes.

In the third set Cardiff picked up their game and generated some good defensive play, but this was not enough as consistent digging by Michele allowed Maja to show good strong hitting. Riga worked as a team and closed the set and the match 3:0

Penny was nominated most valuable player.

Riga then went out to face Birmingham. They knew this match would be harder than the first and that they would have to raise their level. They geared their heads in action ready for the first set.

Riga started with first 6 (Ellie, Clare, Jayne, Maja, Michele and Penny). Riga lost the first 3 points on strong serving from Birmingham. Riga matched birmingham point for point early on, with quick blocking from Michele, and digging from Jayne. But Riga couldn't sustain it long enough, Birmingham won the set 25:15

The second set started very similar, Riga matching point for point, until Birmingham were 17:12 up and had a good strong set of serves where Riga were dishevelled. Unforced errors by Riga allowed Birmingham to win the set.

Riga were adamant they had to work hard in this set to save grace, but stupid serving errors early in the set were not a good start. After the first 5 rotations Riga found they could stay on top. At 21:21 Andy made a confident substitution swapping Penny for Maja. Riga won the set.

It was unfortunate that Andy didn't have options for changing the rotations, so they had to work extra hard. This didn't go to plan, Riga were already 9 points down before they won a point. Towards the end of the set Riga played up, but at 21:13 this was too late. Michele served a good run at 17:24 but a side out finished the set to Birmingham's favour. Birmingham were a good strong side that out played Riga.

Michele was voted as most valuable player.

(Click on each of the images to enlarge)

Jayne hitting back court - how does she bend that much???!	Andy's team talk!	Penny gets loads of height with her back court hit.	Annabel beating the Cardiff block through 4!	A worried coach looks on...!!
Maja hitting through the middle	Another Andy team talk - what were they not doing this time??!	Penny gets low for the first pass	Andy's first substitution	Jayne & Clare keep the bench warm!
Ellie's called on through the middle	Jayne making the pass!	Another hit for Ellie	This time its a pass for the Riga II middle player	The solid Riga block!!
The not-so solid Riga block - I'm sure the ball will get picked up ;-)	Penny makes way for Annabel through the outside	Clare setting for Maja	"I think the ball will come from that way" Finally an insight into Andy's Time Outs..!!	Ellie making the all important first pass
Clare pushes the set to the middle	"Not on my watch " Michele dominates the net with her block!	Annabel squeezes her hit down the front of the University's block!	Riga show them how blocking is meant to be done!	It maybe a volley but Riga were ready to block it out.
Those look like serious faces!!	Michele finds herself hitting the first one through 4!	The Riga block closes another spike out!	Text Book - Ellie makes her approach as the pass comes in, ready for Clare to set a fast attack!!