Here’s a link to the Corporate Games website

Anyone interested should contact David Skrzypek .

If you’re interested, please let us know.

Feel free to check out the registration & rules information

After a very warm day in Sydney and the squad reeling from 4 consecutive losses, the scene was set for an interesting match.

QF2’s imports were away on International duties, leaving early in the week to attend their teams training camp in Melbourne. This left the team with six players, forcing some lineup changes. Alcides and Toru moved into their preferred setting roles, leaving Rob to play outside as the second hitter. A change in tactics was also on the cards with a focus on blocking and defensive positioning.

The first set started well, with relatively few mistakes. Some intervention from the centre divider gave an early break to the Strikers. With solid hitting from Ross, some great defensive positioning and a lot of scrambling shifted the momentum to QF2. The Strykers droppped their heads and increased their error rate. Down 13-20 QF2 rallied to get the score back to 21 all before taking the set 27-25.

The second set was much of the same. Down a set the Strykers struggled for cohesion while QF2 continue to execute their gameplan. A slow start put QF2 down 14-9 but again QF2 scrambled well and got back into the game with the rest of the set going point for point. A couple of close calls towards the end, and a fantastic final point gave QF2 the set 25-23 and their first win for the season.

With 100 points played for the game only two sets managed to be completed.

Next week brings the clash of the Qantas B teams with QF1 playing and on fire QF2, in a grudge match for the ages.

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.

Ensuring that they followed Racial & Ethnic Equality Guidelines, QF2 assembled the United Nations team of players. 3 new faces for the opening game of the season, with Chairman Lam and The Flying Cloggie (Marieke) arriving from overseas, and the HUGE off-season transfer coup of Rob Scriva from QF1, rumour has it that promise of a new headband swung the deal.

Despite Captain Steve telling everyone what he wanted, what he really really wanted, the Wannabee’s used their combination of boy and girl power to crush QF2 in the opening set. With a few re-introductions and better communication, QF2 suddenly looked like they actually played volleyball, and an improved team performance particularly from the setters resulted in the 2nd set to QF2.

QF2 were still thinking about the 2nd set glories, while the Wannabee’s stormed unnoticed into an early lead in the 3rd. With time running out, bodies were flying everywhere as we tried to slam our body down and wind it around, and every point was fought for. But QF2 were made to pay for their early mistakes as they were unable to catch up before time got the better of them. A promising start, but still a 2-1 loss.

Note: Apologies for reviving any Spice Girls memories, as I know it just makes you all think of QF1

Draw for Social Comp 4 2005

1. Relevant to the tournament
2. Visiting Melbourne
3. Broader tourism

Feel free to check ‘em out.