After the Christmas Break, This is the roundup of results throughout January for PMVC –

PMVC Jesters – there was only one game this month for the Jesters against a spirited Torexe Phantoms team on the 5th January. It was a Jesters squad which had not played together as a unit before so progress was slow in the first set which they lost as the team got its bearings. In the 2nd set, The Jesters sprung into action and debutant setter Heather Dixon was finding Dan Tapson and Steffen Shageer to build a healthy lead. The Jesters stayed strong, winning the set and levelling the match. In the 3rd set, Jesters started brightly but started to fade away towards the end of the set conceding the set. The 4th was over in a flash as energy levels dropped and the Phantoms seized their chance to take home the win. In the 5th, Jesters were dogged in their resistance but could not get a consolation set. Match result was a 4-1 win for Torexe Phantoms.

This was also the last PMVC game for Kyle Mitchell who has transferred to Exeter Storm. Fittingly he was nominated MVP for the match and we wish him all the best with his volleyball future. His father Bob has also stepped down as Jesters Manager and I want to thank him for his efforts over the last 2 seasons. I was therefore agreed by the committee for me (Andrew “Po” Potter) to manage the team for the duration of the season.

Jesters have dropped to 7th in the League Table as Phantoms have been able to leapfrog Jesters with a surprise win over Taunton Scorpions, however, Jesters have a game in hand. February have one game in February against league leaders and current champions Storm Excoll. Will they be able to cause an upset? Come to TorBridgeon 23rd February to find out.

PMVC PocketRockets – The Rockets had 2 games this month – their first was on 5th January against  League Leaders, Torexe Hunters again. The Rockets Started off competitively with a few notable emissions from the squad. However Hunters pipped them in the 1st set 25-23. Sets 2 and 3 were very one sided and Hunters quickly claimed the win with ease. In the 4thand 5th sets, Rockets started to raise their game again with junior setter Victoria Wilkins linking up well with her attackers and showing great improvement in each and every game she plays. It couldn’t stop Torexe Hunters keeping themselves top of the league with a 5-0 win over PMVC PR’s. Our other junior star on display, Megan Leeds won MVP for the second time in as many games.  

Their second game wasa home game against Champions Storm Excoll on 19th January. The first set of the match was a tough set for both teams - Plymouthcame out of the stalls flying and pushed ExColl to the wire but even though the home team had a strong lead ExColl showed why they are high flyers in the league and stayed calm and took the set 26-24. The second set went to the away team who again showed their dominance with a convincing set, 24-14. The third and fourth set were much more competitive and Plymouth made the travelling team work for their wins but strong serving from Fedeli was too much to handle and proved the difference in both sets. The fifth set also went to top ExColl, and with that the win (5-0). Steffen Shageer won MVP who was also playing up from the Jesters team.

Pocket Rockets slip to 5th in the table because of those losses. They have 2 away games in February against the unbeaten Storm Excoll again and 4th placed Kirton. Its not too late for a last gasp charge up the table if they can beat rivals Excoll and its shaping up for an interesting end to the season.

 SW Ladies – it was a busy January for the reigning SW League Champions with 4 League Games and a 2nd round National Shield Match. At the Riverside LC, Exeter, the Ladies first played Wessex. They demolished the young pretenders with ease winning the game 3-0. Their second game was against hosts Torexe Topcats. The first set was incredibly one sided as PMVC nearly didn’t let Torexe win a point winning the first set 25-3! However sets 2 and 3 were more competitive and allowed coach, Steve Allen to rotate his squad. PMVC rode out the win 3-0 winning both of those sets 25-23. Liene Knupke and Kate Wilkins won MVP.

The next League games were on 19th January at home to Bristoland Academyof Beach Sports. Both teams were strong and Bristolbrought quite a few of their National League players to provide some surprise competition for PMVC. With the scores level in the first set at 13-13, the Ladies powered their way into the lead and never looked back. Sets 2 and 3 were never in doubt and the win was theirs. 25-15, 25-9, 25-21. Another 3-0 win and an MVP nomination for Marina Baker. The second game was a verycompetitive game against the only other unbeaten side, ABS. It was high standard volleyball producing long rallies as both sides served tactically well. Academy's defence was put to the test with Plymouth's strong hitting and PMVC took a 2 set lead. ABSclawed a set back in the 3rd (only the second set all season that PMVC had conceded in the league) but it was Plymouth's height and attacking power that swayed the balance as they sealed the game in the 4th Set. 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15. Kate Wilkins gained another MVP nomination for the month and has shown she is a driving force behind the unbeaten champions.

On 26th January the Ladies travelled to Southamptonto continue their National Shield campaign against New Forest Ladies in their 2nd Round fixture. The Division 3 outfit are an accomplished side and provided a frosty atmosphere when our Ladies arrived. They had a big crowd and were pressing the home advantage and were certain they would overturn our PMVC

PMVC brought their A game from the start and despite being taken to 5 sets, they never fell behind in the game winning the 1st, 3rd and 5th sets. Set scores were 25-18, 8-25, 25-16, 16-25 15-9. The home crowd were silenced, the National league team were stunned and visibly upset as they never expected such strong competition from SW champions who are now the only non National league outfit left in any of Volleyball England’s National Competitions. A huge achievement and a big cupset - Well done Ladies and bring on the Quarter Finals!

February sees PMVC sitting pretty at the top of the League Table as now the only unbeaten team in the league. There is no League action for PMVC Ladies in February however they will be continuing in the National Shield for the Quarter Finals against Bristol2 on 22nd February.  

SW Men– The men had 4 home league games in January. First was a top 3 clash between Kernow, Lydney Lynx and PMVC Men. The first test was against a strong Lydney side and PMVC started brightly, winning the 1st set with ease. However, Lydney composed themselves and never looked back claiming the next 3 sets despite the fighting spirit of our young PMVC Mens side. Next was against the team at the top of the table –an unbeaten Kernow side. PMVC shocked the league leaders and didn’t waste time powering into a 2 set lead. Kernow managed to draw level and take the game into a deciding 5th Set. Thankfully, the Men did just enough to cross the line as winners taking the final set 15-12. A big result which has confirmed that our PMVC Mens side have matured and come a long way from 2 seasons ago. MVP nominations went to Rob Young and Tibo Daigne.

The next home game was on 26th January against Kernow Maw and Cardiff Celts. Both are teams in the lower half of the table but both have the ability to play a high level of volleyball. Their first opponents were Cardiff Celts and having taken the first set, Celts managed to turn the tables taking sets 2 and 3 and aspired to getting their 3rd win of the season. However, PMVC’s firepower was too much for the young welsh side and managed to claim the win in 5 sets with Steffan Shageer gaining another MVP nomination in the process. The second match was more accomplished againsy a slightly better side but PMVC were comfortable in taking the win 3-0 and Tibo picked up his 2nd MVP nomination of the month.

PMVC Men are currently 2nd in the league tables and can go top if they gain good results at home on 2nd February against City of Bristoland ExeterUniversityand in Barnstapleon 16th February against ABSand Kernow. Either way, our Boys are having a great season showing good depth in their squad.

PlymouthLocal Volleyball League– January was very quiet for Local League action as most teams have been unable to organise fixtures between themselves.  However, 19th January saw PMVC Diggin It host PMVC Tigers in an action packed day of Volleyball at Tor Bridge Sports Centre (SW Ladies hosted 2 x SW league games and Pocket Rockets played afterwards against Storm Excoll).

The Tigers put up a good fight in their game and were level throughout most of the 1st set but Luke Allen Gdanitz’s Diggin It side grew in confidence as the game progressed and ran out as eventual winners by 3 sets to nil. The Tigers were satisfied with their gameplay and have now proven that they can play competitive 3 touch volleyball. There was a big crowd of family and friends for the game but even more enthusing was that most of the Tigers stayed on to watch the SW Ladies play and see what standad they can aspire to.

I hope we can see a lot more games organised in February so we don’t have a bottleneck at the end of the season. One thing for sure is that some teams are absoloutely loving the opportunity to play competitive games in a friendly atmosphere.

Ladies Development Tournament- the Tigers took part in the Ladies Development Tournament in Exeter on 26th January. The results were really positive and was great to see them so full of confidence and being the loudest team there! They played Marjon Uni Girls, King and teams from Torexe and had competitive 3 touch rallies with all of the teams. There was a huge amount  of support both on and off the court and players really grew over the course of the day. Im Sure they cannot wait until the next development tournament scheduled for 16th March.