Sunday 30 November 2008 - National Volleyball League Division 3 North Men, Gryphon SC, Leeds Univ.
York 0-3 Nottingham Rockets (22-25, 15-25, 18-25) 60 minutes
York 3-1 Leeds 2 (25-8, 19-25, 25-18, 25-23) 79 minutes
With their strongest squad so far this season, York travelled to Leeds in anticipation of 2 wins. But they lost disappointingly 3-0 against Nottingham Rockets, before bouncing back to beat Leeds 2 3-1.
Report to follow...
The York MVP in both matches was once again Adam Meszczynski, who showed his usual outstanding form in both attack and defence.
The next National Volleyball League action is in 2 weeks time, on Saturday 13 December, when York travel to Stoke to face Newcastle Staffs 2 and University of Birmingham 2. York have already beaten both teams already this season, so a repeat performance is expected.
Team: Will Bromley, Pascal Charles, Dan Chun Fai, Ed Humphries, Adam Meszczynski, Terry Perfect, Albert Severin, Phil Singleton, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
Tuesday 25 November 2008 - Women's Yorkshire Premier League, Oaklands Sports Centre
York 2-3 Leeds VC (25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 18-25, 13-15) 103 minutes
York Ladies took the first 2 sets only to fail by the closest margin in the 5th set against Leeds Volleyball Club's 1st team.
Team: Andrea Albrecht, Jane Dobranska, Sarah Godson, Barbara Harnist, Mandy Litton, Claudia Lorenz, Katie Thorn, Elle Tovey (capt.), Cathy Wold. Coach: Will Bromley.
Monday 24 November 2008 - Men's Yorkshire Premier League, York College
York 1-3 Leeds (25-22, 11-25, 20-25, 16-25)
York Premier League men's team looked good in the 1st set against Leeds Volleyball Club, but their disappointing run of 3-1 defeats continued. York started brightly and dominated the 1st set, holding off a late comeback by Leeds to win 25-22. But Leeds regrouped and found large chinks in the York defence. The blocker were ineffective against Leeds outside spikers, who varied the direction of their attack, sometimes coming inside and sometimes hitting down the line. York managed to win several points through the middle, with setter Derek Cattle, setting up Mark Perry. But the first pass was not consistent enough to use the middle attack more and York fell away disappointingly, losing the match by 3 sets to 1.
Team: Rob Barker, Derek Cattle, Tony Davis-Coyle, Wayne Palmer, Mark Perry, Mike Turner.
Monday 17 November 2008 - Women's Yorkshire Premier League, York College
York 3-0 Menwith Hill (25-20, 25-20, 25-23) 60 minutes
York Ladies swept comfortably past Menwith Hill 3 sets to 0, in only 60 minutes at York College for their first Yorkshire Premier League win of the season. York fielded a squad of 11 players, and all 11 saw time on court. In fact, by the end of the match the York coach, Will Bromley, managed to switch the starting 6 players onto the bench and give valuable match experience to the newer players, without jeopardising the final result.
The 1st set started slowly, with the York team thrown an early challenge, when their coach started them in an untried rotational order. But this did not faze them and the players settled down quickly. The serve of experienced Sarah Godson, took York from 4-5 down into a convincing 11-5 lead, with Emila Zielinska setting a big middle block and Yvonne Wright providing powerful spikes in attack. Menwith Hill never got back into the game and York cruised to a 25-20 set.
In the 2nd set, the line-up was changed, with an even taller middle blocker, Andrea Albrecht replacing Zielinska and Norwegian student, Cathy Wold, replacing Wright. York captain Elle Tovey served York into an early 9-2 lead. The York setters, Katie Thorn and Mandy Litton, displayed good teamwork, distributing the ball to all the spikers and even tried some cheeky, 2nd ball attacks. But Menwith Hill showed good defensive skills and levelled the scores at 19-all. But Tovey punished them from the service line again and on front court Jane Dobranska impressed in attack. York pulled away to win the set 25-20.
The 3rd set saw more changes, with French setter Barbara Harnist replacing Litton and Julie Rorvik, another Norwegian student, replacing Dobranska. Menwith took advantage of some initial hesistance by York to take a 6-2 lead, but York levelled straight away at 6-all, then took the lead 9-7. Setter Katie Thorn served York into a comfortable 18-11 lead which allowed all the York players to get valuable court time. Towards the end of the 3rd set, all the starting 6 were on the bench and York still managed to hold their own against some very experienced American players. Menwith managed to pull back to within 1 point at 21-22, but it was too little, too late. Julie Rorvik's precise serve took York to match point at 24-21 and the final 3-0 victory was inevitable.
Will Bromley, the York coach was very pleased by the performance. He said: "This will give the squad a confidence boost to take into some tough games before Christmas." York Ladies next match is next Tuesday, at Oaklands Sports Centre, against Leeds Volleyball Club.
Back row: Sarah Godson, Yvonne Wright, Andrea Albrecht, Emila Zielinska, Elle Tovey (capt.), Jane Dobranska. Coach: Will Bromley. Front row: Mandy Litton, Barbara Harnist, Katie Thorn, Julie Rorvik, Cathy Wold.
Sunday 16 November 2008 - National Volleyball League Division 3 North Men, Middlesbrough College
York 1-3 Leeds Carnegie (13-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18) 81 minutes
York 1-3 Middlesbrough College (15-25, 25-21, 23-25, 23-25) 81 minutes
On a beautiful day, York travelled up the A19 to Middlesbrough. The 1st match between league leaders Leeds Carnegie and Middlesbrough College finished sooner than expected (3-0 to Carnegie), and York were in danger of not being ready for their match, against Leeds Carnegie. The 1st set was over quickly, 25-13 to Carnegie, but York realised they were not completely outclassed. The 2nd set saw the welcome return of York stalwart, Pascal Charles. This allowed left handed Slawek Sokolowski to play in his preferred position on the right side of the net. The student team took the set 25-20, but York were much closer. Neither team could pull away in the 3rd, until Adam Meszczynski fired down 3 big jump serves to take York into a 12-7 lead. Both teams sided out very effectively but Carnegie pulled back to within 1 point before Sokolwski opened up a 4 point gap at 23-19. It just took 2 side-outs for York to win the set 25-23. York could not maintain the momentum in the 4th set. Carnegie controlled the set, they were always in front and pushed on to take the set 25-18.
Against Middlesbrough College, York couldn't sustain their level from the 1st match and lost the 1st set 25-15. But they were back on form in the 2nd set, with player-coach Mike Turner making a surprise and effective appearance as an outside spiker. The lead changed hand a few times before setter Albert Severin served 4 times in row to give York the impetus to win the set 25-21. The 3rd set seemed to be heading York's way as well, with York holding a 2 point lead 23-21. But Middlesbrough took advantage of a weak York rotation and squeezed out the set 25-23.
Changing back to a more balanced line-up in the 4th seemed to do the trick and York pulled away to lead 10-5. Middlesbrough responded calmly and levelled the score at 12-all. Both teams traded side-outs for a whole rotation, with York's Polish pair of Meszczynski and Sokolowski winning most of York's points. With the score at 19-18. to Middlesbrough, York's usually reliable side-out play failed to work and Middlesbrough pulled away to lead 22-18. York were given a reprieve at 21-24, when they thought they has lost the point, and the match, only for the referee to award the point to York for a Middlesbrough net touch. There was hope after all! York pulled back another point to reach 23-24. But the final point was given away disappointingly, with no real attack when the ball trickled over the net. Middlesbrough had won the match 3-1, with a good team performance, without any outstanding performances. Something York need to learn if they are to progress at this level.
The York MVP in both matches was once again Adam Meszczynski, who showed his usual outstanding form in attack, in front court and with his powerful jump serves.
The next National Volleyball League action is in 2 weeks time, on Sunday 30 November, when York only have to travel to Leeds University to face Leeds 2 and Nottingham Rockets. Both these teams are below York in the table, with Leeds bottom. York have already beaten Nottingham this season, so York are expecting 2 wins from this fixture.
Team: Will Bromley, Pascal Charles, Dan Chun Fai, Ed Humphries, Adam Meszczynski, Terry Perfect, Albert Severin, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
Monday 3 November 2008 - Yorkshire Division 1, York College
York Crusaders 0-3 Menwith Hill (7-25, 8-25, 16-25)
York Crusaders put in an improved performance against an experienced team from Menwith Hill, but could not prevent a 3-0 defeat. The Crusaders team, with 5 youthful players from Huntington School, are improving with every match. Unfortunately they weren't able to put it all together for more than a few points at a time and the first 2 sets were over quickly. But Crusader came back strongly in the 3rd set and kept the American team on their toes. Menwith pulled away in the 2nd half of the set, but valuable match experience was gained by all 10 York players.
Team: Mark Calvert, Graham Camm, Danny Chan, Tim Godson, Mark Graham, Mike Hainsworth, Stewart Miller, David Richardson, Lucas Stier, Craig Todd.
Monday 27 October 2008 - Men's Yorkshire Premier League, York College
York 1-3 Hawks (26-24, 9-25, 16-25, 14-25)
York Premier League men's team took the 1st set 26-24, against league champions, Hawks, of Cleckheaton. Left handed Polish player, Slawek Sokolowski provided most of firepower, with winners from all areas of court. Unfortunately, York couldn't respond when Hawks upped their game in the 2nd set, slumping to a 25-9 score. In the 3rd set York were more competitive, with their blockers finding more success. But Hawks exposed York's service reception and pulled away to take the set 25-20. The York player-coach, Mike Turner, made drastic changes in their line-up for the 4th set, but this didn't stop Hawks, who took the set 25-14 and the match by 3 sets to 1.
Team: Rob Barker, Tony Davis-Coyle, Wayne Palmer, Mark Perry, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
Sunday 26 October 2008 - National Volleyball League Division 3 North Men, Robin Park Sports Centre, Wigan
York 1-3 Birmingham University 1 (11-25, 25-19, 18-25, 23-25) 77 minutes
York 3-2 City of Preston (16-25, 25-16, 25-15, 20-25, 16-14) 92 minutes
In foul weather conditions, York travelled across the Penines, to Wigan. In their 1st match York lost 3-1 against Birmingham Uni 1, but in their 2nd match, against City of Preston, they bounced back from the loss of the 1st set, to win the match 3 sets to 2. The York MVP in both matches was once again Adam Meszczynski, who was outstanding in attack, in both front and back court.
The next National Volleyball League action is in 3 weeks time, on Sunday 16 November, when York travel to Middlesbrough to face Middlesbrough College 2 and league leaders Leeds Carnegie.
Thursday 23 October 2008 - Men's Yorkshire Cup, Rossett Sports Centre, Harrogate
York 1-3 Harrogate (21-25, 17-25, 25-11, 20-25)
York Premier Men were knocked out of the Yorkshire Cup in the 1st round by Harrogate VC, a new Premier League team. York, suffering a number of injuries, drafted in Terry Perfect from the 1st team and Tim Godson and Stewart Miller from their 3rd team. Harrogate took the first 2 sets, then York came back strongly to win the 3rd, with Terry Perfect very effective blocking and attacking through the middle of court. The Harrogate player-coach Steve Matthews, a former York player, was forced to bring himself onto court to prevent York gaining the upper hand and Harrogate took the 4th set 25-20.
Team: Rob Barker, Tim Godson, Stewart Miller, Wayne Palmer, Terry Perfect, Mark Perry, Mike Turner.
Sunday 12 October 2008 - National Volleyball League Division 3 North Men, York College
York 3-2 Newcastle Staffs 2 (26-28, 25-20, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11) 100 minutes
York 3-1 Nottingham Rockets (25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25) 87 minutes
At their very first ever home National League triangular fixtureYork won both matches; 3-2 against Newcastle Staffs 2 and 3-1 against Nottingham Rockets. The York MVP in both matches was their new Polish signing, Adam Meszczynski, who was outstanding in both service reception and outside spiking. Meszczynski and Slawek Sokolowski, York's other Polish player, executed the simple, long high ball, match plan perfectly, pounding ball after ball onto the floor and overpowering the defenders.
York gained sweet revenge over the Newcastle team, who had beaten them in the National Knock-Out Cup 2 weeks ago. Newcastle Staffs turned out a stronger team than before, including the very experienced, ex-England player, Anthony Viggars, in an otherwise youthful line-up.
Newcastle started well in the 1st set and took a comfortable lead. As the set developed, York started to gel together and mounted a late recovery, saving 6 set points and levelling the scores at 24-all. But Newcastle closed out the set 28-26. The 2nd set was much closer, with both teams exchanging side-outs up to 15-all. A couple of big jump serve winners from Meszczynski pushed York into the lead 17-15, but it was 4 serves from York's setter Albert Severin that won the set 25-20.
York maintained the momentum in the 3rd set, never giving up the lead. Newcastle levelled at 9-all, but Severin produced some more magic from the service line to pull away 12-9. With Meszczynski and Sokolowski firing at full power and the middle blockers, Will Bromley and veteran, Terry Perfect, stopping many Newcastle attacks before they crossed the net, York won the set comfortably 25-20. The 4th set seemed to be heading in a similar fashion, until at 11-9 to York, Newcastle introduced a new, tall middle blocker. His presence at the net lifted Newcastle's attack and they pulled away to take the set 25-22.
York were determined not to lose to Newcastle in the 5th set again and raised their side-out game, becoming almost invincible. When the ball did beat the block, the York defence scrambled to keep it in play and the York spikers sent the ball back with extra venom. York only conceded 1 service point from Newcastle's 1st 7 services. By this point York were in a commanding position, 13-8 ahead. A late come-back by Newcastle was quashed and York took the set 15-11 and the match 3 sets to 2, in 100 minutes playing time.
In their 2nd match against Nottingham Rockets, York gave their setter Severin a well deserved rest and introduced Hull-based Daniel Chun. York took the 1st set easily 25-17 and just edged the 2nd set 25-23. Nottingham's tall blocking line-up managed to neutralise a tiring York attack in the 3rd set and took the set 25-21.
Worse was to come in the 4th set. York returned their strongest line-up to court, but couldn't stop the flood of Nottingham points. At 15-3 to Rockets, the match appeared to be heading for a 5th set, with the momentum strongly in Nottingham's favour. But, York managed a Great Escape - coming back from 21-12 down, with Bromley serving 4 times in a row at set point down and Sokolowski's powerful left handed spikes finding their target. Albert Severin contributed to the York points tally, with 2 cheeky 1st touch attacks, volleying the ball straight back into in the open Nottingham back court. Once York reached the relative safety of 24-all, there was only going to be one winner, with York eventually winning the set 27-25, and the match 3 sets to 1, in 87 minutes playing time.
Team: Will Bromley, Dan Chun Fai, Ed Humphries, Adam Meszczynski, Terry Perfect, Albert Severin, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
The next National Volleyball League action is in 2 weeks time, when York travel to Wigan to face City of Preston and University of Birmingham 1.
Sunday 12 October 2008 - Men's Yorkshire Premier League, Longcroft School, Beverley
York 1-3 Beverley
York Premier Men couldn't match the success of the National League side, going down 3-1, at Longcroft School in Beverley. Beverley took the first 2 sets and York won the 3rd. The 4th set will be remembered more for an injury. York's tallest player, Tony Richards dislocated his little finger when blocking a hard hit ball. Fortunately no damage was done and York were able to substitute him off court. Beverley were now back in control and quickly wrapped up the game 3-1.
Team: Rob Barker, Derek Cattle, Danny Chan, Tony Davis-Coyle, Wayne Palmer, Mark Perry, Tony Richard, Mike Turner.
Tuesday 7 October 2008 - Women's Yorkshire Premier League, Oaklands Sports Centre
York 2-3 Leeds 2 ( 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 11-15) 89 minutes
York Ladies, the defending league champions, started their campaign at home against Leeds 2 on Tuesday evening at Oaklands Sports Centre. Leeds just edged the match 3 sets to 2, overturning a 7-10 deficit to take the 5th set 15-11. York's squad was strengthened by 2 Norwegian exchange students, Cathy Wold and Julie Rorvik, but York couldn't quite find the attacks to get back into the game.
Monday 6 October 2008 - Yorkshire Division 1 Season Has Great Start
York 0-3 York Phoenix (14-25, 11-25, 8-25)
The first match for the York Division 1 team against local rivals York Phoenix, saw a great turn out of players, old and new. The recent school-club link with Huntington School has ignited interest in volleyball and 8 new players from the school turned up for the match to completely fill the York roster, with the maximum 12 players.
The result (3-0 to York Phoenix) was not important. Coach Tim Godson managed to give every player some valuable time on court. Although a little disorganised at times, the York team managed to compete well against a much more experienced team.
Volleyball has come to Huntington School in a big way, with an after school volleyball club on Tuesdays and York Volleyball Club running a recreational/beginners session on Fridays 7-9 pm.
Sunday 5 October 2008 - Men's Premier Lose their 100% Record
York 0-3 Leeds Carnegie (16-25, 9-25, 16-25)
On Sunday evening, York Men's Yorkshire Premier League team lost 3-0 to Leeds Carnegie at Leeds Met University in Headingley. York were further disadvantaged, as only a few points into the game, their setter, Antony Peacock, injured his back and could barely walk, let alone play volleyball. With no substitutes York decided to play on, but Peacock was unable to take any active role in the game.
Leeds Carnegie took full advantage of the mismatch in players, the strong student squad powering through to a comfortable 25-16, 25-9, 25-16 victory.
The next outing for the Premier team is this Sunday away against Beverley.
Friday 3 October 2008 - Recreational/Beginners Session Starts
In response to increased demand, the club is starting up a beginner's/recreational session at Huntington School, on Fridays between 7.00 - 9.00 pm, starting 3 October. The sessions will be taken by Volleyball England qualified coaches and are aimed at anyone interested in learning volleyball, as well as for anyone who wants to play a casual, fun game. No previous experience necessary, just some indoors sport kit and a sense of humour!
Promising players will have the opportunity to play for the York mixed team that play in a local league.
Monday 29 September 2008 - Men's Yorkshire Premier League, York College
York 3-1 Barnsley Bears (25-18, 25-13, 11-25, 25-18)
York Men started their Yorkshire Premier League campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Barnsley Bears, Barnsley Volleyball Club's youthful 2nd team. After storming through the first 2 sets, a small hiccup saw York drop the 3rd set. But in the 4th, with MVP Tony Richards back on court, York reasserted their superiority and wrapped up the match 3 sets to 1.
Sunday 28 September 2008 - National Knock-Out Cup Round 1
York 2-3 Newcastle Staffs 2 (18-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 13-15)
In a 5 set thriller at York College, York Men were knocked out of the national cup competition by the narrowest margin. The visitors Newcastle Staffs 2 took the first 2 sets, but York clawed their way back to level at 2-all. The 5th set was close, until Newcastle Staffs pulled away to lead 10-5, which should have been sufficient to secure the set. But York had other ideas. They saved 3 match points and pulled back to 14-13. Unfortunately this wasn't enough. Newcastle Staffs won the final point with a spike that deflected off the block of York MVP, Slawek Sokolowski.
Team: Will Bromley, Dan Chun Fai, Ed Humphries, Terry Perfect, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
York's NVL team have a chance for revenge, as Newcastle Staffs 2 will be one of the 2 teams York face in their next National League home fixture, on Sunday 12 October. The other team is Nottingham Rockets. First match warm-up at 10 am, match start 10.30 am, at York College.
Sunday 21 September 2008 - National Volleyball League Division 3 North, Dewsbury
York 3-0 Birmingham Uni 2 (25-0, 25-0, 25-0)
York 1-3 Boathouse Dewsbury (25-18, 17-25, 18-25, 19-25) Photos...
York Volleyball Club played their first ever National Volleyball League fixture, against Birmingham University 2 and Boathouse Dewsbury. The match against Birmingham University 2 was a walkover win 3-0 to York, as the students were unable to raise a team.
The first real volleyball, against the home team, Boathouse Dewsbury, York won the 1st set 25-18 and took a 5-0 lead in the 2nd set, with their powerful Polish attacker, Slawek Sokolowski, recording many kills. Boathouse made a few changes and cut out their errors and took the 2nd set 25-17. York fought back but some poor serve reception meant they were unable to make best use of their spikers and Boathouse cruised comfortably through the next 2 sets 25-18, 25-19, winning the match 3-1, in 80 minutes.
There were some positives to come this match. York had 3 players making their debut for the club - setter Dan Chun Fai, from Hull, Ed Humphries, also from Hull, playing in the specialist defensive libero role and Mike Turner, a former Boathouse player. Despite some players playing out of their usual positions, York managed to compete well in the long rallies, making several dramatic defensive recoveries and often converting them into points with powerful spikes from Sokolowski.
It was not totally a one man show, with strong blocking from outside spiker, Terry Perfect, and middle players Phil Singleton and Will Bromley. Versatile player Albert Severin cruised smoothly through the match (and on the journey home), playing both as setter and outside spiker.
Team: Will Bromley, Dan Chun Fai, Ed Humphries, Terry Perfect, Albert Severin, Phil Singleton, Slawek Sokolowski, Mike Turner.
York's NVL team are in action at home this Sunday 28 September, in the National Knock-Out Cup. They are playing Newcastle Staffs 2, from Stoke, at York College, 1 pm warm-up, 1.30 pm match start.
The moral of the day - Don't leave home with both sets of house keys! Particularly if you want a birthday present...
Monday 1 September 2008
Men's National League and Premier League training starts at York College. Mondays 7.15 - 9.15 pm.
Tuesday 5 August 2008
Pre-season training starts at Oaklands Sports Centre. Tuesdays 8.15 - 10.15 pm.
Monday 14 July 2008 - York Tournament Report
York Volleyball Club showed the region and Volleyball England that we could be an excellent host for the Regional Grass Series 2008, Yorkshire leg.
Great turn out of teams across Northern England – 17 teams. Great to see the juniors in their competition run by Ed, Mike & others. We maintained the reputation for a friendly tournament where teams play hard to win but can enjoy themselves.
So many thanks, apologies if not named:–
- Stuart & Richard from Volleyball England for coming up with the all the equipment and providing support.
- York College & All Saints School for their facilities.
- Yorvale for the ice creams and freezer
- Everyone from the club who turned up and played and were flexible in allowing players to come and go but still join in. Congratulations to Stewart, Anja, Sarah and the two Canadian Mounties for flying the flag and getting through to the Plate Final and coming so close.
- Thanks to those who gave prizes to the ‘Volley shy’ competition which was fun & earned well.
- All those who helped set up and clear away – particularly Danny who never stopped.
- Yvonne, Crispin and others who sold the refreshments
- Lukasz who couldn’t be there but who provided a York-based junior team for the first time in years and Mike who looked after them all day. There seemed to be another York team of the future playing in a ditch at the end!
- And Mr ‘Come and get your Strawberrys' – the music maestro – Pascal. Pascal provided much needed refreshments and funds raised will go towards the refreshments needed at NVL matches.
Overall, we raised over £300 for club funds. This will all support our work to develop the club – with juniors, recreational players and Yorkshire & National standard teams.
Tim Godson
Monday 7 July 2008 - Bridlington Beach Tournament Pictures
Wednesday 25 June 2008 - York Ladies Season Review
This season has seen York Ladies Volleyball team spike to success in the Yorkshire Premier league. Following two seasons finishing in second place, the team set out this year with one clear goal - to move up the table and to win.
With 14 games in front of us and some tough competition, we knew that the season would require commitment, hard work and determination. There were some new players to welcome into the team but they fitted in well and brought a new level of enthusiasm to the team’s games.
The season got off to a good start and before we knew it we had won match after match. There were some close games which we had to battle to win, including matches against Menwith Hill and University of Hull. By the end of the season the team had an almost unblemished record, losing only two matches all year. We eagerly watched the league table being updated and we were crowned the winners!
This year Volleyball England ran a new competition, the Regional Champions Trophy - a one day tournament in Kettering, for the winners of the nine regions around England. As winners from Yorkshire, the York Ladies earned their place in the tournament. The team travelled down for the day and had 3 matches to play in their pool. Games one and two saw some tough competition and the York team were unable to clinch a victory. In the third game the team faced the Loughborough Lions, and played a superb game. Everything came together to give us a fantastic last game of the season which we won 2-0.
All in all it has been a great season for the York Ladies:
Elle Tovey (Captain), Katie Thorn, Heike Singleton, Sarah Godson, Yvonne Wright, Cathy Street, Sophie Lawton, Emila Zielinska, Jane Dobranska.