where volleyball is the winner
QF2 1 : Individuals 2
Two withdrawals due to injury and sickness added to the list of unavailable players, and meant that QF2 were unable to build as much as they wanted upon the understanding gained in the first match. A late transfer deadline signing of an Irish U-19 player (now 32, and not played since those dizzy heights days.) failed to overcome the Individuals, who had a clear height advantage, we looked like the six dwarfs + Pieter.
With Pieter running late, Steve started the game despite a toe injury, and the first set was a replica of the previous weeks, where confusion rained, and the understanding was reminiscent of the American Agencies during Hurricane Katrina. It was quickly over without the opposition even breaking sweat.
Pieter arrived and added some much needed height with Steve sitting out the set. With Ken starting to remembering how to play volleyball and getting used to the rotation, the general level of play improved. The Individuals created an early 10 point gap, but some improved setting and big hits from Ross and Marieke from the outside and improved blocking and scrambling led to QF2 closing the gap. As the gap closed it looked as if we might just do it, but it just wasn’t enough as the 2nd set narrowly went the way of the first.
Steve returned to the action in the final set replacing Ken, and despite the injury performed admirably. The play continued to improve, with the exception of Rob who forgot how to set and the difference between middle and outside, who knows where he meant to set. Despite all that we managed to scrape the last set, with a credible 2-1 loss, won’t be long before the first win.