NVL Division Three Central
6 March 2011
Venue: Stokesley LC
Riga 3 North Riding Eagles 0 (25-23; 25-17; 25-15)
Riga 3 Leeds 2 0 (25-19; 25-21; 25-15)

Report written by Helen Lloyd

Thankfully, the team were not put off by Jules’ road kills (poor pigeon) and Nettie’s full stomach from a ridiculously large garlic bread pizza, not to mention the slightly run down venue, where a dive would leave you looking like a human duster. (webmaster note - even Helen got her white knee pads dirty!)

A great start from the girls led to a comfortable lead, forcing the Eagles to call a time out after some intimidating serving from the Riga side, at 6-13. Possibly due to the insanely early morning for some of us, we let them catch up to 18-18, but managed to pull away again to end with a 23-25 win.

Determined not to let it get so close again, the girls stepped it up a gear and kept a better gap. Consistent setting from both Ginny and Clare, combined with some killer hits from Brit and Jayne saw a 25-17 win.

The Eagles continued to put up a better fight than we were used to, and their improved blocking forced us to think a little more about where to place our hits. However, as the final set went on so did our standard of play; resulting in a 25-15 win.

MVP - Brittany

Riga v Leeds 2

After a very quick lunch, we didn’t have much time to warm up for our next game. Eager to beat Leeds in 3 straight sets, the pace was immediately set from the first serve. Some fab passing from the back and great blocking from Mim at the front gave Riga a 25-19 win.

A combination of their deep hitting and our covering off the block saw a very close end to the second set, but the girls pulled it back from just 23-20 up to 21-25 up. Going out all guns blazing for the 3rd set, Riga had made it clear that we were not prepared to play a further two sets, so everyone gave it their all. Some good back court hitting from Sharon, a few aces, good blocks and great hitting later, the girls showed no mercy and finished up with an impressive 25-15 win.

I have been asked to mention that due to unforeseen circumstances- whether it was the garlic bread or a spiritual experience- Nettie found herself unable to make a pass when the ball came short over the net. Instead, she dropped to her knees in a prayer-like manner and let the ball drop just behind her. Unfortunately, we have been unable to source the cause of this unusual behaviour; we can only hope it was a moment of madness.

MVP- Ginny