Cambridge Volleyball Club

Cambridge VC and Anglia Ruskin University vs Black Country Men 2 and Ipswich Men

Vs Black Country Men 2: 3 – 2 (23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-23, 15-10)
Vs Ipswich Men: 2-3 (19-25, 25-20, 14-25, 26-24, 8-15)
Team: Kaminski (C), Lai, Menden, Krusche, Antichi, Vytoldas, Saatcogliu
Saturday 1^st October 2016, Cleobury Mortimer Sport Centre

Despite the imposition of International Transfer rules, Cambridge managed to field seven players for their first league matches of the season.  This minor administrative victory was only partially matched on court, the team ending on one win and one loss after an exhausting ten sets of volleyball.

Cambridge were looking stranded just 24 hours before tip-off, with only five cleared to play.   But then a little help from the volleyball Gods outweighed the hindrances of the Federations, seven players were declared eligible to play and an anti-climactic double concession was narrowly avoided. 

Old hands Kaminski (captain), Lai (libero), Menden, Krusche and Antichi were joined by new signings Vytoldas and Saatcogliu for this away triangular, against Black Country 2 and league newcomers, Ipswich. 

The vagaries of the triangular match day system means this will be the first of two trips to the Welsh border.  At the same venue last season a drawn out first match against the other travelling team took the sting out of Cambridge’s attack and a costly loss to the hosts ensued. 

This time round Cambridge defeated the hosts first but also took five sets to achieve it.  As the second match also ran to five sets several players run out of gas and the decider was just beyond them.

Cambridge’s next league games will be played at home, fingers crossed that more of the squad will be available for this derby day spectacular: Cambridge take on their closest National League neighbours Peterborough and Newmarket.

Cambridge VC and Anglia Ruskin University v Warwick & Coventry Riga
2-3 (23-25, 25-21, 29-27, 26-28, 10-15)
Team: Kamil (C), Massimo, Michael, Hanns, Gianni, Domininkas and Rolf.
Saturday 17th September 2016, North Cambridge Academy

Cambridge VC and Anglia Ruskin University men faced off against Warwick and Coventry Riga for the first round of the National Cup in their first match of the season.  Cambridge play in Division 3 of the National League whilst Warwick are in Division 2, but there was little discernible difference between the teams during much of the game.  It was, however, not exhibition volleyball, both sides with a lot of rust to shake off.

Some familiar faces took to the court for Cambridge: captain Kamil Kaminski and Massimo Lai hitting left side, Michael Menden and Hanns Goetzke blocking middle, with Gianni Antichi stepping into the setting role with Domininkas Zalys opposite him.  The departure of setting genius Deokhyo Choi has left some big shoes to fill but Antichi made a strong claim for the spot, frequently bringing his young opposite into the match.  Cambridge’s middles also had a good game, largely outplaying their opposite numbers at the net and even showing their outside hitter team-mates how to receive serve and defend!

After 4 sets of scrappy and occasionally entertaining volleyball there was still nothing to separate the sides.  However, Cambridge had squandered several match points at the end of the 4th set.  Having earned themselves a decider, the visitors were always more likely to enjoy it.  The win takes Warwick into round two of the Cup whilst Cambridge move into the Shield competition and await the draw to see who they play on the 12th November.