Women’s 1^st team make it 5 out of 5 and are the only undeated team in the league

NVL Division 1, 27 October 2007

Riga vs Leeds

3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-14)

Match Report by Julie Bromell

he second match of Riga Volleyball clubs 3 team home triple-header saw an as yet unbeaten Riga ladies take on newly promoted Leeds ladies.  Leeds travelled to Alan Higgs having won 2 of the 4 matches played so far this season, with one of these victories coming at the home of defending champions London Malory.  This result alone meant Riga had to be on top of their game if they were to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

Despite Riga taking an initial 3-0 lead, it was Leeds that settled the quicker of the 2 teams opening up a 7-4 lead.  This lead was quickly pegged back and the scores were tied at 10-10.  A service run from Juliane Laetsch helped Riga build a 14-10 advantage, from which Riga never looked back.  Solid passing from Riga meant that setter Lisa Purcell was able to find her hitters with ease.  Riga taking the set 25-20.

The second set started with both sides trading points until the score reached 6-6.  Riga then upped their game with a succession of blocks, led by captain Alex Smith.  Despite using both time outs and making a substitution, Leeds were unable to find a way back into the set and Riga closed the set out with a service run from eventual Riga MVP Celine Haederli 25-17.

Riga stormed out of the blocks in the third set, as they looked to take the set and the match in double quick time.  A 6-0 lead was quickly established thanks partly to solid blocking from Sophie Louen, who had entered the fray at the start of the set.  Riga were now in total control of the match and scoring points at ease from all areas of the court.  At 18-8, coaches Tom Young & Chris Anderson were able to introduce setter Tracey Whitley, who was making her first home appearance since March 07 following ankle surgery and more recently having been away on honeymoon.  Whitely was quickly into to the match scoring a point with a full length diving pickup that sailed back onto the Leeds side of the net, taking their block by surprise.  Some more conventional play from the new setter and her hitters saw out the set and match 25-14.

Another superb display from Riga maintains their unbeaten start to the season and with Wolverhampton’s loss to Malory means that Riga are now the only team with a 100% record in the top tier of English women’s volleyball.