Cambridge Volleyball Club

CVC WILDCATS vs ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY

3-0 ( 25-16, 25-14, 25-3)
Team: Birgit (C), Frances, Kasia, Lorna, Mary, Sarah M-J, Ursula and coach Micha
Saturday 11th Feburary, Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall

The Wildcats had an early start at Kelsey Kerridge for their match against ARU.  There where some changes to the team line-up for the match; Sarah M-J making a welcome return to play middle after a long period of injury recuperation, and Kasia, recently welcomed to CVC, who did really well with the rotation  system.

Set 1 – Coach Micha was very quick to recognise the talent of opposition player 12.  With a number of the stronger ARU players away for an NVL match the remaining squad was under powered and relatively inexperienced. The first starting 6 of Birgit, Frances, Kasia, Lorna, Sarah M-J and Ursula took to the court with a clear plan; keep the ball away from number 12!  It worked.  With some smart targeted attacks and defence CVC Wildcats took the first set 25-16.

Set 2 – The same starting 6 and the same plan from set 1 allowed Wildcats to build a comfortable lead.  Good first passing meant different shots could be tried out.  Halfway through the set Mary switched in for Frances at outside.  Wildcats were still making some mistakes, but against the inexperienced ARU team where still able to take the second set comfortably, 25-14.

Set 3 – Mary started at outside, with the rest of the line up staying the same, though coach Mica started everyone 2 rotations back to better counter attack ARU’s number 12.  Much more used to playing with each other, Wildcats became much more clinical with shot selections and targeted with serving.  An already struggling ARU were unable to deal with the excellent serving runs from first Birgit and then Kasia.  CVC took the set 25-3, and the match 3-0.

After winning the match there was a 4^th unofficial set.  Ursula came off, Mary switched to setter and Frances came back on at outside.  With the pressure off ARU re-grouped and pulled ahead to an early lead of 15-3.  Wildcats, having clearly relaxed, pulled back to close the gap, but eventually lost the set 24-16.

Thanks to St. Philips for refereeing, coach Micha for interrupting his holiday packing and Lorna for curtailing her birthday celebrations to play.  It was a busy day ahead for some – Frances off to referee at Cambridge University and Ursula to line judge NVL at North Academy.  Next up is Cambridge University, Sunday 19th at The Leys.

CVC WILDCATS vs ST. PHILIPS

3 – 0 (25-9, 25-10, 26-24)
Team: Birgit (C), Irene, Julianne, Lucy, Mary, Ursula, Valentina DS, Valentina I
Saturday 4th February, Netherhall Sports Centre

After much hard work and planning by Rhinos VC the new Cambridge Women’s League kicked off.  The County Women are entered as CVC Wildcats – a blend of ‘Panthers ‘and ‘Tigers’ to give it a different feel to the EVF series, an excellent suggestion by captain Birgit.

CVC Wildcats first match of the new league was against St Philips.  Coach Micha was on hand to do the rotations and substitutions.  He made sure everyone got some time on court, with most players spending at least some time on the bench.  CVC aimed to play attacking volleyball, convincingly winning the first 2 sets.  The Wildcats held on for the win in the 3^rd set, despite some confusion about whether play had stopped.

A big thanks to supporters who made it all the way to the Netherhall Sports Centre for the CVC Wildcats first match.

This promising start provides lots to build on in future training sessions. The next match will be a tough one against ARU, who have a number of players in the national league.