The new volleyball season got underway last weekend with a host of games played from the 2 Men’s Divisions and 3 Women’s Divisions.
With 2 new teams added to the Men’s Premier League, courtesy of Ballymun Patriots Y team’s promotion and NUI Galway Alliance’s stock rising over the last year, this season will see more games added to the roster and tougher competition all round for top prize, if form over the last years is anything to go by.
Last year’s champions, UCD, got their campaign off to a flyer with a comprehensive 3-0 win, outclassing an improved DVC outfit from last season but just not good enough to worry the Students.
Trying to become the first team to retain the title since Aer Lingus’ accomplishments back in ’07 and ’08, the difference in class was reflected on the scoreboard as UCD ran out comfortable winners, 25-9, 25-18, 25-16. In the other games, last year’s runners-up, Ballymun Patriots, came through a bruising encounter with Aer Lingus in 4 tight sets winning 25:23, 25:20, 22:25, 25:22. The Northsiders had gained the early advantage taking the first two sets but the Airport outfit are no pushovers with a lot of experience in the team. They showed they were capable of competing with Ballymun but in the end, Ballymun had just enough in the tank to take them over the finish line. Amber Coast outfought and out-thought 2011 champions from Limerick, Munster Thunder in another 4 set thriller, winning 22-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21
In the men’s 1st Division, while the numbers may have reduced to six teams for this season, the standard has most definitely improved judging by the two games that took place in Colaiste de hIde, Tallaght is anything to go by. First up at the venue was Garda A, runners-up to Ballymun last season, against Aer Lingus Harriers. The early morning start didn’t help the Harriers cause as Garda took advantage with a blistering start to win the first set. However, their coach gave them the kick they needed and suddenly, the real Harriers sprung into action and destroyed the Boys in Blue in the next 3 sets, with better precision from their spikers and a better all-round cohesion with the setter. They were never really troubled from then on despite the score line reading 22-25, 25-21, 25-10, 25-22.
The other game in the division saw UCD pitted against newly formed Garda 5.0. The quality on show was obvious to see to all spectators from the very first point as long rallies were dictated by quality blocking and defensive pick-ups on both sides. With both sides exchanging points in the early stages in the first two sets, it was the Garda side that took advantage midway through both sets whenever they got comfortable cushion, leaving the Students frustrated on one rotation. By the time UCD called their 2nd time out in the 2nd set, it was already 18-9. Garda closed out the sets 25-12, 25-11. UCD changed around their line-up to up our efficiency rate and it worked, pulling away towards the end of the 3rd set to win 25-19. It was nip and tuck at the start of 4th set, but then Garda upped the ante to lead 20-13.however, they made an illegal sub and scorekeepers only realised mistake after 7 points so score went to 20-19. This mistake nearly proved costly but Garda fought until the end and had 4 points to spare to win their opening game.
NUIG in action against Santry in their Division 1 victory in Galway
With current champions Aer Lingus not competing in this year’s women’s league after nearly all players from their squad deciding to call it a day from the sport after been crowned league champions for the last 5 year. This has given an impetus to the chasing pack and for a new team to be the new No.1 team. DVC, last year’s runners-up but also 2012 Cup champions (after defeating Aer Lingus in an enthralling battle) would look to be favourites to gain top spot. They began their season with an emphatic 3-1 win over Varsity champions, Trinity. The other college team in the division, UCD, didn’t fare any better against fellow Dublin opposition as Santry overcame their while the game of the weekend had to be between Naas Cobras and Tallaght Rockets. This was a ding-dong battle that went down right to the wire, with Tallaght taking the deciding set and winning 3-2
In the Ladies 1st Division, DVC were on the wrong end of a heavy shock against newly promoted Garda in the first set in Clondalkin. Garda played some sublime volleyball, coinciding with DVC errors to have a commanding lead at 20-12. However, they could not finish off their opponents as nerves set in and their lack of experience was exposed by a classy DVC team once they picked off their shots. Garda had 3 set points when at 24-21 but they made costly errors at these crucial moments. After that, it was all plain sailing as DVC cruised in the next two sets, winning 26-24, 25-13, 25-14. In the other games, there were good wins for NUI Galway Alliance and Newbridge Wildcats to open their campaigns, beating Santry and Aer Lingus respectively. The Munster Derby between Munster Thunder from Limerick and The Rebels from Cork proved to be an exciting encounter. Having the lost the first set on home turf, the Shannonsiders, relegated from Premier Division last year, didn’t seem too worried as they powered their way to victory, winning 18-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 , and will be one of the favourites for top spot and promotion back to the top-tier.
In the Ladies 2nd Division, there were opening day victories for two out of three Kildare sides. Newbridge Wildcats beat Tallaght Rockets 3-1. However, there were mixed fortunes for Naas Cobras as their A team beat Portmarnock but their B team lost out to Garda.
-Benny O’Regan
Spórt Éire 