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More news and gossip on the Stowmarket Volleyball Club Facebook Group.
Stowmarket Men Conquer the Eastern Region
Sunday 8th March 2009
Stowmarket men have made up for the disappointment of just missing out on a place in the Volleyball England National Shield semi-finals by clinching a place in the Regional Champions Trophy finals for the first time in their history.
The Suffolk club brushed aside all competition in the Eastern Regional Series this year losing only one match in twenty over four tournaments. The series which is based on an accumulation of points scored over all the matches in the series culminated with Stowmarket finishing 47 points ahead of their nearest rivals GNG Bedford.
Stowmarket will now go forward as the Eastern Region representatives to play against the winners of all other Volleyball England regional competitions at the Regional Champions Trophy in Kettering in May. The prestigious two-day event signals the end of the English indoor volleyball season and is held along side the Volleyball England Annual Awards and Dinner. If all goes well Stowmarket will be able to return with a new piece of silverware for the trophy cabinet.
With two teams still in the running to retain the Suffolk Cup title they won last year, the possibility to finish anywhere between 2nd and 8th in the National League and having reached the quarter finals of the national shield competition, this season could still easily surpass last season as the most successful in the club’s recent history.
Stowupland Sports Centre was the venue on Sunday when Stowmarket registered a double win, beating Newmarket and Dartford in the National Volleyball League Men's Division Three East.
In the first match of the day, Stowmarket beat Dartford three sets to one. Stowmarket took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-18. Dartford came back in the third set, winning 25-20 but Stowmarket prevailed by winning the fourth set 25-18.
In the second match, Dartford thrashed Newmarket by winning in three sets, 31-29, 25-17 and 25-22.
The days' finale was the eagerly awaited Suffolk- derby between Stowmarket and their old rivals Newmarket. Following the loss against Dartford, Newmarket desperately needed a win while Stowmarket went into the game full of confidence from their earlier victory against Dartford.
Both teams started well, with strong blocking from Rob Dovaston and Nik Mezanov keeping the Stowmarket attack at bay. Newmarket finally edging the set 25-23. Stowmarket recovered with excellent hitting from Hermus Chon. An early 15-5 lead was a solid foundation and they went on to take the set 25-15. The third set started closely, but as it wore on Stowmarket proved much stronger and took the set 25-18. The fourth set again started closely, but after Newmarket's Paul Freeman sustained an injury midway through the set, an awesome pick-up from Mark Ames sent Stowmarket on their way to comfortably take the set and register their second victory of the day.
Reacting to the wins, Stowmarket captain Kevin Kent expressed his satisfaction with the victories and gave credit to all the players before concluding: “The wins are a great confidence builder for the final few matches of the season. The victory against Newmarket is a special one as they are the local derby”. The wins saw Stowmarket move up to sixth place, above Brentwood Estonians while Newmarket are now rooted to the bottom. Stowmarket are next in action on Sunday the 8th at the final round of the Eastern Region Series, which they currently lead. Following that, Stowmarket and Newmarket will meet again on the 15th of March in the National League at Watford, with Danes making up the triangular.
Photos from the match are now available on pages 12 & 13 of the gallery here.
Scores:
Stowmarket-Dartford 3-1:25-19,25-18,20-25,25-18.
Dartford -Newmarket 3-0:31-29,25-17,25-22.
Stowmarket-Newmarket 3-1:23-25,25-15,25-18,25-17
Following on from the disappointment of a fifth-set quarter-final exit from the National Shield in Jersey (video highlights, BBC report), Stowmarket Mens Volleyball team took on third placed Sussex Dolphins at Stowupland Sports Centre in the National Volleyball League Mens Division Three East on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Both teams started strongly with Stowmarket gaining an early lead by winning a close first set 25-23. Sussex Dolphins however made a comeback to win the second set 25-21 and tie the match one set all.
Despite losing the second set, Stowmarket, thanks to powerful jump-serving from Thomasz Morawski and Sussex mistakes, took an impressive 17-7 lead in set three. There was a valiant comeback from Sussex Dolphins, but Stowmarket were able to take the set 25-21. With that comeback, the momentum had now swung back to Sussex, who built an early fourth set lead and kept themselves in the match by winning 25-20.
The fifth and final set was a very one-sided affair as Sussex Dolphins pumped out a 7-1 lead, continuing on to win the set 15-3 to complete a 3-2 victory.
Stowmarket now face Dartford and Newmarket in a home double-header on Sunday the 1st of March at Stowupland Sports Centre. Two wins will be essential if seventh-placed Stow are to come close to last season’s fourth place finish in the league.
Stowmarket Mens Volleyball team are through to the quarter finals of the Volleyball England Shield after an outstanding victory over Loughborough Students in the second round of the competition.
Having already knocked out SGTV Solent from Southampton, who are undefeated in the league this year, Stowmarket caused the upset of the round with their victory over the team from the Midlands who are made up mainly of students and Volleyball England employees.
Loughborough have appeared in two of the last three Shield finals, showing how seriously they take the competition and were hoping that they could continue their strong record in the competition this year.
Despite the two teams sitting an entire division apart with Stowmarket currently 7th in National League division 3 and Loughborough sitting 5th in division 2, the game provided a very close match up, so close in fact that the game had to be decided by a nail biting fifth set.
The two teams traded the upper hand in the match with Stowmarket taking the first and third sets and Loughborough taking the second and fourth. The final set was looking like a forgone conclusion with Loughborough storming into a 12-8 lead. Stowmarket, down but not out, showed incredible spirit to fight back and take the set 15-13, booking their place in the quarter finals in the process.
The team must now travel to Jersey on 7th February to take on HLB Jackson Fox Jersey Men, who themselves knocked out second division opposition in Wessex from Poole in the last round. Jersey are an unknown quantity as they do not play in the National League and give Stowmarket the opportunity to face a team they have never played before. Reports from teams who have taken on the St Helier team suggest that despite their inexperience at this level, they have some strong players and will prove a very stern test for the Suffolk side.
Should Stowmarket overcome this test, then they will find themselves in the semi-finals of the National Shield, one game away from a day out in Sheffield at the national finals and the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd and the television cameras.
Stowmarket are actively seeking sponsorship from any interested parties, and with the Channel Islands media reporting the upcoming game in Jersey heavily and the possibility of national recognition through the Shield competition, now would provide advertisement for any sponsor. Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring the team.
Starting on Monday the 12th of January there will be an eight-week course at Stowmarket Middle School for beginners and those returning to volleyball. For full details, and to book, see Suffolk Sport's website.
More news and gossip on the Stowmarket Volleyball Club Facebook Group.
Stowmarket Men Conquer the Eastern Region
Sunday 8th March 2009Stowmarket men have made up for the disappointment of just missing out on a place in the Volleyball England National Shield semi-finals by clinching a place in the Regional Champions Trophy finals for the first time in their history.
The Suffolk club brushed aside all competition in the Eastern Regional Series this year losing only one match in twenty over four tournaments. The series which is based on an accumulation of points scored over all the matches in the series culminated with Stowmarket finishing 47 points ahead of their nearest rivals GNG Bedford.
Stowmarket will now go forward as the Eastern Region representatives to play against the winners of all other Volleyball England regional competitions at the Regional Champions Trophy in Kettering in May. The prestigious two-day event signals the end of the English indoor volleyball season and is held along side the Volleyball England Annual Awards and Dinner. If all goes well Stowmarket will be able to return with a new piece of silverware for the trophy cabinet.
With two teams still in the running to retain the Suffolk Cup title they won last year, the possibility to finish anywhere between 2nd and 8th in the National League and having reached the quarter finals of the national shield competition, this season could still easily surpass last season as the most successful in the club’s recent history.
Stowmarket Rejoice In Double Home Win
Sunday 1st March 2009Stowupland Sports Centre was the venue on Sunday when Stowmarket registered a double win, beating Newmarket and Dartford in the National Volleyball League Men's Division Three East.
In the first match of the day, Stowmarket beat Dartford three sets to one. Stowmarket took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-18. Dartford came back in the third set, winning 25-20 but Stowmarket prevailed by winning the fourth set 25-18.
In the second match, Dartford thrashed Newmarket by winning in three sets, 31-29, 25-17 and 25-22.
The days' finale was the eagerly awaited Suffolk- derby between Stowmarket and their old rivals Newmarket. Following the loss against Dartford, Newmarket desperately needed a win while Stowmarket went into the game full of confidence from their earlier victory against Dartford.
Both teams started well, with strong blocking from Rob Dovaston and Nik Mezanov keeping the Stowmarket attack at bay. Newmarket finally edging the set 25-23. Stowmarket recovered with excellent hitting from Hermus Chon. An early 15-5 lead was a solid foundation and they went on to take the set 25-15. The third set started closely, but as it wore on Stowmarket proved much stronger and took the set 25-18. The fourth set again started closely, but after Newmarket's Paul Freeman sustained an injury midway through the set, an awesome pick-up from Mark Ames sent Stowmarket on their way to comfortably take the set and register their second victory of the day.
Reacting to the wins, Stowmarket captain Kevin Kent expressed his satisfaction with the victories and gave credit to all the players before concluding: “The wins are a great confidence builder for the final few matches of the season. The victory against Newmarket is a special one as they are the local derby”. The wins saw Stowmarket move up to sixth place, above Brentwood Estonians while Newmarket are now rooted to the bottom. Stowmarket are next in action on Sunday the 8th at the final round of the Eastern Region Series, which they currently lead. Following that, Stowmarket and Newmarket will meet again on the 15th of March in the National League at Watford, with Danes making up the triangular.
Photos from the match are now available on pages 12 & 13 of the gallery here.
Scores:
Stowmarket-Dartford 3-1:25-19,25-18,20-25,25-18.
Dartford -Newmarket 3-0:31-29,25-17,25-22.
Stowmarket-Newmarket 3-1:23-25,25-15,25-18,25-17
Stowmarket narrowly lose to Sussex Dolphins
Sunday 15th February 2009Following on from the disappointment of a fifth-set quarter-final exit from the National Shield in Jersey (video highlights, BBC report), Stowmarket Mens Volleyball team took on third placed Sussex Dolphins at Stowupland Sports Centre in the National Volleyball League Mens Division Three East on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Both teams started strongly with Stowmarket gaining an early lead by winning a close first set 25-23. Sussex Dolphins however made a comeback to win the second set 25-21 and tie the match one set all.
Despite losing the second set, Stowmarket, thanks to powerful jump-serving from Thomasz Morawski and Sussex mistakes, took an impressive 17-7 lead in set three. There was a valiant comeback from Sussex Dolphins, but Stowmarket were able to take the set 25-21. With that comeback, the momentum had now swung back to Sussex, who built an early fourth set lead and kept themselves in the match by winning 25-20.
The fifth and final set was a very one-sided affair as Sussex Dolphins pumped out a 7-1 lead, continuing on to win the set 15-3 to complete a 3-2 victory.
Stowmarket now face Dartford and Newmarket in a home double-header on Sunday the 1st of March at Stowupland Sports Centre. Two wins will be essential if seventh-placed Stow are to come close to last season’s fourth place finish in the league.
Stowmarket Knock Out Last Year's National Finalists
Saturday 10th January 2009Stowmarket Mens Volleyball team are through to the quarter finals of the Volleyball England Shield after an outstanding victory over Loughborough Students in the second round of the competition.
Having already knocked out SGTV Solent from Southampton, who are undefeated in the league this year, Stowmarket caused the upset of the round with their victory over the team from the Midlands who are made up mainly of students and Volleyball England employees.
Loughborough have appeared in two of the last three Shield finals, showing how seriously they take the competition and were hoping that they could continue their strong record in the competition this year.
Despite the two teams sitting an entire division apart with Stowmarket currently 7th in National League division 3 and Loughborough sitting 5th in division 2, the game provided a very close match up, so close in fact that the game had to be decided by a nail biting fifth set.
The two teams traded the upper hand in the match with Stowmarket taking the first and third sets and Loughborough taking the second and fourth. The final set was looking like a forgone conclusion with Loughborough storming into a 12-8 lead. Stowmarket, down but not out, showed incredible spirit to fight back and take the set 15-13, booking their place in the quarter finals in the process.
The team must now travel to Jersey on 7th February to take on HLB Jackson Fox Jersey Men, who themselves knocked out second division opposition in Wessex from Poole in the last round. Jersey are an unknown quantity as they do not play in the National League and give Stowmarket the opportunity to face a team they have never played before. Reports from teams who have taken on the St Helier team suggest that despite their inexperience at this level, they have some strong players and will prove a very stern test for the Suffolk side.
Should Stowmarket overcome this test, then they will find themselves in the semi-finals of the National Shield, one game away from a day out in Sheffield at the national finals and the opportunity to play in front of a large crowd and the television cameras.
Stowmarket are actively seeking sponsorship from any interested parties, and with the Channel Islands media reporting the upcoming game in Jersey heavily and the possibility of national recognition through the Shield competition, now would provide advertisement for any sponsor. Contact us if you are interested in sponsoring the team.
New Beginners Sessions
Sunday 4th January 2009Starting on Monday the 12th of January there will be an eight-week course at Stowmarket Middle School for beginners and those returning to volleyball. For full details, and to book, see Suffolk Sport's website.
AndrewWhitefield |
Latest page update: made by AndrewWhitefield
, Mar 15 2009, 9:25 AM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Added note on Eastern Region Series victory
- AndrewWhitefield
237 words added view changes - complete history) |
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