Into the second month of the competitive season, and the PMVC regional teams have been very busy and are all in a good position in their respective tables –

PMVC Jesters – The Jesters had 3 EDVA games this month – The local derby against Pocketrockets was a game with lots of long rallies which could have gone either way. Pocketrockets won the battle 4-1 with Matt Rhymer and Luke Allen winning MVP nominations. Jesters next match saw them back to winning ways against WVC Cardinals winning 3-2 having come from 2 sets down and taking the fifth set 19-17 – MVP went to Stef Shageer – The 3rd match was against Last Years league wimmers Storm ExCcoll which saw their toughest challenge to date – Storm won 5-0 against a proud Jesters team who had the only female in the mixed league encounter, England U19’s, Ellie Cranch. Taff is sadlty out of action for a while as he snapped a tendon in his finger in the fifth set. I hope you all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

 This leaves the Jesters 6th in the League Table for Division 1 and a busy December ahead of them sees them play Taunton Scorpions on the 1st Dec at Torbridge, followed by another home game on 15th December against the improving team of Torexe Hunters and their last game is away against Kirton on 22nd December.  

PMVC PocketRockets – The Rockets only had 2 games this month – as noted above, they had victory against the Jesters on the 5th November and their other fixture was against Torexe Phantoms at the Riverside LC. They played well throughout and only lost the 3rd set in a comfortable 4-1 win. Junior star, Victoria Wilkins played up and was nominated at MVP for her impressive efforts. This puts Pocket Rockets 3rd in the table and still unbeaten. They also have 3 games in December. Torexe Hunters on 1st December, Home again to Taunton Scorpions on 8th and their last game before Christmas is against WVC Cardinals in Exter on 15th December.

 SW Ladies – The Ladies made their National Cup debut on 3rd November against NVL Division 1 side Bristol. Despite their underdog status against a well drilled team, PMVC fought hard but could not finish them off in each set. Bristolwon 3-0 and were suitably tested in their progression to the 3rd round of the Cup. Despite being knocked out, PMVC have now been automatically entered into the National Shield and have received a bye in the 1st Round on 2nd December. They will next face New Forest Ladies in January in Round 2.

Just one league fixture this month against Cardiff Celts and Universityof Exeteron 10th November. Their league streak remains unbeaten with two very comfortable wins, both 3-0 and MVPs for Liene Knupke and Marina Baker. The Ladies are currently 3rd in the league table but have also played less games than the two teams above them. December sees them play against Universityof Gloucestershireand Torexe Aces on 8th December at PlymstockSchool. Be sure to be there to cheer on the reigning SW champions.

SW Men– 4 games for the Men in November – The first games were in Bristoland they won both games in dominant fashion. Nick Boorman won MVP again as they beat City of Bristol3-1. Tibo Daigne won his second MVP of the season as PMVC dismantled Bristol2 by 3 sets to nil. Their next games took them to Yeovil on 24th November. First up was Yeovil VC and playing against an ex PMVC player James Bell, they took a 2 set lead and even had match point in the 3rd before losing focus and in the end the match by a jubilant Yeovil side who claimed the match 3-2. Stef Shageer won MVP. Their other game was against ExeterUniversity. Still in shock about the loss of the previous game, they were trampled in the first set but put up a good fight in sets two and 3 despite losing the game 3-0. Rob Young took his 3rd MVP nomination of the season.

December see the SW Men having a well deserved rest and they are currently 2nd in the League Table. They return to action on 12th January at TorBridge.

PMVC Tigers– November heralded the start of the Plymouth Local Volleyball League and PMVC will be fielding 3 teams in this years competition – 2 of the 3 teams have yet to play a competitive match yet but its newest team PMVC Tigers have got the ball rolling having played both of the first 2 league fixtures of the season.

PMVC Tigers are borne from the Satellite programme at IvybridgeCommunity Collegeand is a predominantly female team with every player 16 years old or younger.

The first game was a loss against Marjon Uni Girls and despite the 2-0 scoreline the Tigers showed their raw talent in their first ever competitive 6 a side game by taking 21 and 23 points in each set respectively. PMVC Head Coach, Steve Allen and Club Captain, Nick Boorman both turned up to show their support of the league and did their bit to help the match run smoothly. Both were impressed with the sportsmanship and burgeoning potential on show.

Their second game was a home fixture against Plymouth Uni 1 and it was a game I’m sure they will remember for a long time, mainly due to the fact that the Uni team were mostly men and mostly 6 foot tall or more! Despite the difference in stature and standard, the Tigers played great 3 touch volleyball and genuinely won quite a few of their points scored with some good attention at the net and some impressive serving. They also had great home support with over 25 people there to watch the match and a few bongos thrown in for good measure. David Bertelli’s Plymouth Uni side eventually won by 3 sets to nil but the Tigers have grown and developed quickly into a team full of enthusiasm and potential.

December see them continue in the league and we hope that the other PMVC can get their accounts open before Christmas.