Were at the half way point of the season, and all PMVC teams (except the SW Mens Team) have been in action in December –

PMVC Jesters – The Jesters had 3 scheduled EDVA games this month – first up was against an in form Taunton Scorpions team. Jesters started brightly taking the first but Taunton kept the pressure on for the duration of the match winning all of the other 4 sets. – MVP went to Sam Crompton – The 2nd match was against another in form team in Torexe Hunters – Jesters saw some new players making their EDVA competitive debut for the season. For a team with so much momentum behind them, Jesters did well to compete strongly with the Hunters. Despite losing the first set, Jesters composed themselves to take the second. A close 3rd set saw Hunters regain the lead and they went on to win the Game 4-1 and propel them to the top of the league. Dan Tapson deservedly won MVP. The 3rd game they had due to be played against Kirton on 22nd Dec but the team decided to forfeit the game due to a lack of players.

Jesters are still 6th in the League Table despite the 3 losses but they have an all important match against 8th placed Torexe Phantoms on the 5th January 2014 at Tor Bridge. A win there will ensure they stay outside of the relegation zone and hopefully secure their Div 1 status for the 2014/15 season.

PMVC PocketRockets – The Rockets had 2 games this month –  their first was on 1st December as they played Torexe Hunters at Tor Bridge. A real humdinger of match saw the Rockets take the lead twice (1-0 and then 2-1) only for Hunters to eke out the win in a closely fought contest. Liene Knupke won MVP for the second time in the EDVA this season.  Their second game was at Exeter School against WVC Cardinals. Without some of their regulars, they fielded 2 new players in Matt Bell and Megan Leeds. All the sets were very close and slightly tainted by some substandard refereeing but it didn't affect the overall result which was in favour of Cardinals who won their first game of the season 3-2. Megan Leeds won MVP on her EDVA debut.

Pocket Rockets stay 3rd in the table despite the 2 losses. They have 2 very tough games in January against the 1st and second placed teams in the league. Torexe Hunters on 5th January at the Riverside then Storm Excoll on 19th January at Tor Bridge. There are sure to be some crunch matches to define the top of the Division 1 league table.

 SW Ladies – Just one league fixture this month for the current SW Champions against Torexe Aces and University of Gloucester on 8th December at Plymstock School. Their unbeaten streak is still untarnished with another two comprehensive wins, both 3-0 and MVPs went to Liene Knupke and Victoria Wilkins. The Ladies have moved up to 2nd in the league table but with games in hand on ABS who are the only other unbeaten team.

January will see their first real test as they will compete against a talented rising team in Wessex and Torexe Topcats on 12th January, then Bristol and current League Leaders ABS on 19th at Tor Bridge. Then they continue their run in the National Shield in Round 2 on 26th January against New Forest. There are sure to be some great games ahead.  

SW Men– The men had an early break with no games played in December but January sees them try and hold the fort at home on 12th January against 2 of the strongest teams in the League, League Leaders Kernow and 4th placed Lydney Lynx. Then again at home on 26th January they will play teams in the bottom half of the table in Cardiff Celts and Kernow Maw.

Plymouth Local Volleyball League – December saw PMVC Diggin it and PMVC Head Heroes start their local league campaign in some timed matches against each other as well as the Marjon Uni Boys and Girls teams. Diggin It overcame their early blips against Marjon Uni on the 3rd December to winning all but one of their games on the 12th December. Head Heroes had a monstrous win against Marjon Uni Girls only to lose against Diggin It and Marjon Boys.

The PMVC Tigers had their 3rd game of the season on 5th December against Team GWOF which is a team run by PMVC’s Kyle Mitchell and was essentially an Ivybridge Teachers vs students match!

They made huge improvements against their toughest opponents yet. I don't think it did a great deal of help to teacher/ pupil relations at ICC but the Tigers can be proud of how they are playing after only 3 competitive games.

I’m sure all the teams are raring to go in the New year and to play some more games.

Festive Fun-  In the final week before christmas, Ivybridge Tigers hosted a fun fours tounament on 19th December in which there were 5 teams -  Brrr, The Snowflakes, Rapid Rudolphs, Merry Tigers and Big Boss. A great night was had by all with music, mince pies, penguins, reindeer and tigers (oh my!), onesies and lots of tinsel! The Crazy Penguins from Brrrr! Won the competition and The Year 10s won the best fancy dress! Thanks to everyone who turned up and had fun!

Then on 22nd, we had a good turn out for the Christmas Carvery at the Tap & Barrel organised by Kate. Great times with good friends.

Thanks to everyone for a great first half of the season and we I’m sure you are all looking forward to some more court action in the New Year!!

Merry Christmas!