Four Matches. Eight teams. A fantastic day of volleyball! The Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena in Glasgow was, once again, the place to be on Sunday 7th March for all Volleyball fans! With a place in the final of the Scottish Cup up for grabs, the eight teams who took to the court over the course of the day had everything to play for.
In the early game, Kilmarnock faced Glasgow Mets in what was to prove a very challenging game for both sides. Kilmarnock stormed into a two set lead with some clever play and some experienced hitting. However, in the third set, Glasgow Mets seemed to take on a whole new energy and rallied back to bring the set score to two all. The deciding set started close, both teams looking for that elusive place in the final, but it was a tougher Glasgow Mets side who hustled for every ball in defence and never gave up. It was a fantastic match to watch and a great start to the day for the growing crowd!
It was the turn of the women next and current league leaders Troon faced an on-form Jets side. Both teams are close in the league and both teams wanted a place in the Scottish Cup Final. Watching from the sidelines, it was a fabulous game to watch – spectacular pick-ups in defence, some very tactical and powerful hitting from both teams, but it was Troon that edged out the game. Jets played a great game and took the third set, but the Ayrshire side looked in control throughout the match. A 3-1 victory for them.
Staying with the women’s competition, the next game saw Su Ragazzi face district league side North Grampian. Having made the early start and long journey, North Grampian were determined not to make it easy for the Division One side – and they didn’t. They played with speed and experience, and at times, Su Ragazzi looked shaken. However, Su Ragazzi seemed to have another gear to step up to and served well and hit powerfully. Despite a late come back in the third set from North Grampian, Su Ragazzi took the game 3-0 and booked their place in the final.
The final match was another great game – returning to the men’s competition with City of Glasgow Ragazzi against City of Edinburgh. Both teams were missing key players – Barry McGuigan for the Edinburgh side who was on Best Man duty at former team-mate Chris Fraser’s wedding, and new father Alistair Galloway for the Glasgow side (congratulations Ally and Alexis!). It was a superb match and both teams put on a display of some top class volleyball. The sets were all close, each team demonstrating their desire to make that Cup Final in April. But it was City of Glasgow Ragazzi who came out on top with an emphatic 3-0 victory.
Well done to all the players and coaches who took part and special congratulations to the winners. Thanks go to the Special Events team, Scottish Volleyball staff, Referees and Officials and Michael McConville for the photographs. A special well done to Autumn Childs from Jets volleyball club who took on the role as Announcer for the first two matches for the first time – good job girl! And a huge thank you to Steve Scott for his announcing in the final two matches.
If you haven’t managed to come along to one of these fantastic days of volleyball – you are missing out! It’s a fabulous spectacle to see some of the top teams in the country competing so fiercely and putting on a fantastic display of volleyball. This is only the start though – over the next few months, there is a lot more volleyball to come and support:
| Junior National League U16 Play-offs | Wishaw SC | Sunday 14th March |
| Scottish Schools Girls Cup Finals | Coatbridge HS | Tuesday 23rd March |
| Scottish Schools Boys Cup Final | Coatbridge HS | Thursday 25th March |
| Junior National League U19 Play-offs | Wishaw SC | Sunday 28th March |
And the pinnacle of the Scottish Volleyball domestic calendar – the SCOTTISH CUP FINALS WEEKEND! This takes place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April 2010 at Wishaw Sports Centre, starting from 10am each day!
There will be eight matches across the two days and it promises to be a fabulous event.
SCOTTISH CUP MEN
City of Glasgow Ragazzi vs. Glasgow Mets
SCOTTISH CUP WOMEN
Su Ragazzi vs. Troon Prestwick & Ayr
SCOTTISH PLATE MEN
Grassmarket Jets vs. Su Ragazzi II
SCOTTISH PLATE WOMEN
City of Edinburgh II vs. Troon Kyle & Carrick
THISTLE BOWL MEN
City of Edinburgh II/Beacon vs Edinburgh Jets
THISTLE BOWL WOMEN
City of Edinburgh vs. South Ayrshire
I would urge you to try and get along to any of these competitions, but in particular, the FINALS WEEKEND! We need people to help set up (the Taraflex is going down!), people to announce and people to officiate. But we also need a crowd! A big crowd! A crowd who are going to scream and shout for the players on the court and make their Cup Final experience a memorable one!
If you can help in any way at any of these events, please get in touch. by emailing the SVA Office and offer your services!
Come on Scottish Volleyball! Support our Sport!!
Jen Downs
President of Special Events
photographs courtesy of michael mcconville, www.volleyballphotos.co.uk