International Volleyball comes to Glasgow
On Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May Holyrood Sports Centre, on the South Side of Glasgow, saw some absolutely fantastic International Volleyball.
The event was presented by Glasgow Sport and the Scottish Volleyball Association, with financial support from the Sports Council for Glasgow, and featured the senior men’s teams from Scotland and England.
The event schedule saw the four teams play a round-robin series of matches on Saturday 20th. In round 1 Scotland Red lost 0 – 3 to a very strong English Lions, while Scotland Blue beat the English Bulldogs 3 – 1. In round 2 Scotland Blue beat Scotland Red 3 – 1 in a pulsating encounter, while the English Lions easily beat the English Bulldogs 3 – 0. In round three the competitive fireworks went off, and the atmosphere in the gym was even more electric. Scotland Red went head-to-head with the English Bulldogs and emerged 3 – 1 winners. Meanwhile Scotland Blue and the English Lions stood toe to toe and traded thunderous attacks, raised massive blocks, served missiles, and defended like demons. The top of the table match went to five energy draining sets, with the Scottish Team emerging victorious.
As the final point was won the spectators ‘invaded’ the court to shake hands with, and congratulate their heroes. There was a sea of smiles as key points were remembered, and successful plays acknowledged, but there were commiserations for the English teams who had added so much to the drama of the occasion.
On Sunday 21st there were only two matches – the 3rd 4th play off, and the event final. In the play-off match the men from Scotland Red repeated their top-notch performance against the English Bull dogs and won with an emphatic 3 – 0 score. Cue justified celebrations.
In the final between Scotland Blue and the English Lions the match was even more competitive, rallies were even more fiercely contested, points even more desperately defended, the volleyball on show from both teams even more spectacular. At 2 sets to zero the English team thought the game was over, but the Scottish team fought back to win the 3rd. At 21 – 19 up in the fourth the Scottish team could see a fifth set looming, but the English 
clawed the score back to 24-22 in their favour. It was thrilling stuff with the crowd on the edge of their seats. One pass, one set, one hit and the Lions scored the winning point and celebrated like crazy. The Scottish players were disappointed, but acknowledged they had participated with style in a terrific series of matches. The Lions took the trophy and had the event’s Most Valuable Player in Adam Bradbury.
The event was a stunning success. As well as the matches there were two wonderful ‘come and try’ sessions for Junior players; there were two CPD Clinics for Coaches, there was a match official’s development clinic, and the good news is that we get to play the English again on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May in Newcastle.
Thanks are due to several people for making this excellent event possible; Glasgow Sport; the SVA Special Events Commission; the Sports Council for Glasgow, and especially Kevin McCann and his wonderful Staff at Holyrood Sports Centre. Well done to all.
Thomas Dowens
Head Coach SMNTP
The Scottish Party who will travel to Newcastle on Saturday 27th May to play in the two International Matches is;
| Position | Name | Club |
| Setter | Marc McLaughlin | Su Ragazzi |
| Fraser Brown – Saturday’s match | Team Northumbria | |
| Graeme Spowart – Sunday’s match | City of Edinburgh | |
| Off-Setter | Niall Collin | City of Edinburgh |
| Ross McKelvie | South Ayrshire | |
| Middle Blockers | Stewart Caldwell | Su Ragazzi |
| Fraser Strachan | Su Ragazzi | |
| Connor Boyle | City of Edinburgh | |
| Swing Hitter | Seain Cook | Team Northumbria |
| Power Hitters | Ali Galloway | Su Ragazzi |
| Fraser Dunlop | Su Ragazzi | |
| Liberos | Mike Penny | City of Edinburgh |
| Stuart Mackenzie | Su Ragazzi |