Womens' 2^nd team break their consistent 50-50 record!!

NVL Division 3C, 04 March 2007
Warwick 3 Cardiff Ladies 0 (26 - 24, 25 - 15, 25 - 15)
Warwick Riga II 3 NW Leicestershire Comets 2 (25 - 17, 15 - 25, 25 - 20, 19 - 25, 15 - 7)

Report by Chris Jones

Sunday the 4th March Warwick Womens 2 broke their season long consistent 50-50 win ratio, by finally recording their first two wins of the season in a double header!! Coach, Andy Collins had a large squad compared to the last few games having 9 players at his disposal and that combined with some great individual and team performances proved to be the deciding factors!

The first game versus Cardiff Ladies saw a very unstable start with the two teams exchanging points in a wild manor somewhat resembling volleyball. But finally those Sunday morning cobwebs were blown out and the morning after the night before saw a last minute push from Riga and them come out on top finishing the set 26:24.

I don't know what coach Andy put in the "half-time oranges" but he should bottle it and sell it! Despite the team formation remaining unchanged, a completely different squad was on court that dominated the second set and a stunned Cardiff Ladies squad didn't know how to respond. Some strong hitting through four by Jayne & Penny and the whole team moving as a unit, covering, picking up and blocking proved too much for Cardiff. Andy also made advantage of his larger than normal squad seeing Annabel (returning to the squad after a break) come on in place of Jayne. The set was wrapped up efficiently by Riga winning 25 points to 15.

Being two sets up Riga's thoughts in between sets soon turned to 'Who was going to make the tea in between games' and 'What's in the sandwichs'! A stern talking to from Andy stating "He wasn't sure who winded him up more, the refs or you lot " and the team soon got their heads in gear and went out detemined to record a three nil victory. The first point of the set went to Cardiff but that was soon forgotten with a run of 5 serves from Clare putting Riga into a commanding position and another very good team performance saw Riga wrap up the third set as effectivley as the second, letting Cardiff only score 15 points! An up beat Riga then had to sit off for a game, how would they fair in the second match later on??

So after a stong and promising performance in the first game and with coach Andy saying that 'another victory should be on the cards' but having lost to Comets at home during their last encounter this season, the scene was set for the second game. The first set saw a confident start but Riga always found themselves a few points a drift of a more dominant Leicester squad. Some fantasic play by Riga and two good runs of servers from Penny & Ellie saw them extend a lead of a few points. This was then built upon by some strong attacking play through the use of varying attacks, Michelle through reverse really proved a problem for Comets who could not respond. The spot on first pass by all members of the squad saw Riga finish off the set a respectable 25:17 despite their slightly rocky start.

An unchanged Riga team lined up ready for the second set that sadly all went wrong! The first pass that had been the winning factor in the first set had been subsituted during the break and resulted in a lack of attacking options and Riga went down 15:25. Despite having other players at his disposal Andy decided to stick with the same line-up again and the third set started as the last one finished with an exchange of points and Riga finding themselves at 18 all! A tactical substitution by Andy saw Clare come on to set and the change of setting style and use of different attacks, along with some great finishing from the squad and some cheeky feinged second balls over from Clare saw Riga wrap things up 25:20.

Being two sets to one up could Warwick avoid another 5 setter?? The seventh set of the day for Riga saw some tired legs on court and Coach Andy deciding to use his larger than normal squad to their advantage with two substitions being made within a point of each other. But despite the use of these slightly rested legs they still saw Riga determined to get "value for money" out of the days volleyball and wanting a five set thriller to keep Andy on the edge of his seat and to make him loose the last remaining bit of his hair!! A complete Muppet momet from Clare saw her hoof the ball out the side of court on the second touch on set point and the team loose the set 25:19.

Once again Riga found themselves in a not too unfamiliar position for the season, being two sets all and facing a fifth set. Once again Andy pulled those "half time oranges" out the bag and Riga dominated from the very start with a string of 5 serves putting Riga into the driving seat for once.... completly out of characater based on perviously experiences this season Riga were determined and wanted to win!! They continued piling the pressure on but Coments were not going to lie down and brought themselves back into contention being 8:5 at the change. However Riga were not going to let this one go and just kept on going at Comets, prooving far to strong for them and they finally crumbled and the fifth and final was brought to a close 15:7 to Riga.

CONGRATULATIONS to Warwick Riga Womens 2 for putting a well deserved two wins on the board!!!!!! Also a special mention to Jayne who received not one but TWO Most Valued Player nominations!! And a big welcome back to the squad for Sharon and Annabel.

Photos courtesy of Gary Peryer - thanks Gary!

(Click on each of the images to enlarge)

Michele Blocking	Andy watches on	Jayne prays for a win while digging	Michele looking thoughtful (rare!)
Clare gees the team on	Jayne makes the pass	Michele dominates at the net	Jayne converts a set to 4
Ginny serving	More blocking!	The team takes a time out	Riga eyes up the opposition
Penny serving	Clare serving	Andy gives stern words	Clare setting
Clare standing around	Leicester hit the wall	Team ready to pass serve	Clare setting
Another great block	Clare prepares	Michele blocking again!	Thoughtful time out
Clare and Jayne copying	each other!	The team celebrates a good day at the office.