NL Division 3E, 29th September 2002
Guildford 3
Warwick Riga II 1 (27-25 26-24 17-25 25-17)
Brentwood 0
Warwick Riga II 3 (27-29 24-26 18-25)
Warwick Riga Ladies second team travelled to Ashcombe on Sunday to start their 2002/03 campaign. The squad has been considerably strengthened by 5 new players - Jane and Sally have come back from retirement, Penny has joined us from Leicestershire and Jayne and Emma have joined us from the first team. Also, Sarah has decided to concentrate on playing after 2 years of coaching and Rob has taken up the coaching challenge.
Our first game was against Guildford and we raced into 17-10 lead. However sloppy play from Riga saw Guildford get back in with both teams having chances to win the set. However , the Surrey team clinched it 27-25. The 2nd set was also just as close and soon it was 24-all. A very contentious refereeing decision robbed Riga of the set when Jayne's winning volley was pulled up for a double touch. Guildford again took the set 26-24. A more determined attitude set in with the Riga girls in set 3 and the hitters, Steph, Emma, Penny and Jayne were soon finding their range with a series of winning shots. Riga raced into a lead and this time were able to hold it and we won the set 25 -17. The 4th set was close and Riga couldn't quite match Guildford and they took it 25-17 and the match 3 sets to 1.
Considering this was our first match , this performance was excellent. Everyone got valuable court time - essential when there are so many new faces and players having new positions to learn - Ruthie is settling in well to her new off setter role and was actually setting the ball to the hitters with just the odd dig going out to 3/4.
Our 2nd game was against our Brentwood, traditionally a team we struggle against. Riga were buoyed by the previous match and determined not to lose against the Essex team. The 1st set was incredibly close and it was great play by Riga that saw us take the set 29-27 ( we don't like to make it easy for ourselves). The 2nd set was also close and, yet again , Riga's more positive play saw us clinch the set 26-24. Brentwood were almost down and out now - a strong run of serves by Emma and Irene and excellent short 6 coverage by Ginny and Claire saw Riga claim the set 25-18.
This was the team's first ever 3 -0 win which augurs well for the season ahead. An excellent first day and we're looking forward to our next game , away to Norwich on October 20th.