U18 Girls Impress on the National Stage
Posted by on 12 October 2015
PMVC's under 18 Girls team came within 2 points of the next round of the National Junior Cup in a resilient and gutsy performance.
The squad travelled to North Devon to face Taunton Breakers again, Cardiff Celts and Beach Academy Rollers. After their success in the Preliminary Round of the Cup where they lost to Taunton but beat Wiltshire to progress, PMVC had trained hard to give themseleves the best chance to progress further, So much so, that two players were touch and go as they picked up knocks in training. Thankfully, they were happy to play and if anything, it made them even more determined.
Their first challenge was against Cardiff Celts who have experience on the big stage as their players took part in the recent National School Games. Our girls were in an unforgiving mood though as they steamrolled the opposition by hustling for every point and not giving anything away in return. They sealed the victory by 2 sets to nil ( 25-10, 25-19). The next game was the crucial one - the rematch against Taunton who beat them in the Prelim round. The first set saw Taunton pick up where they left off from the previous round taking the set 25-17. The second set was fought tooth and nail and PMVC who scrambled for every ball managed to level the game at 1 set all 25-23. The final set was just as close and with PMVC 12-10 up, they thought they had done enough but Taunton showed their quality and managed to steal a victory right at the end 15-13 and with it, progression to the next round. PMVC still had a chance to progress if they beat Academy of Beach Sports Rollers. However, with their 3rd game on the trot, as well as playing against a team complemented with 3 England Junior players they were unable to mount an offence and lost their final game 2-0 (25-12, 25-13).
The team surpassed all expectations and despite not progressing the mood on the minibus home was upbeat as to what they had achieved in such a short time.
Assistant Coach Tim Latcham "The girls played really really well. Their defence and movement was solid and their hitting was just awesome. Each player will have their own highlight reel whether it was an ace, a hit or a pass, but everyone had their moment."
Junior Development Officer Andrew Potter "The potential they have shown has been realised - Other teams on the National circuit now know that we a force to be reckoned with in Junior volleyball and this is just the beginning. We are already making plans towards next years National Cup as well as other competitions this season and building on this success. There is a potential for an Under 18 AND an U16 National side next season so we are doing everything to get those squads together and competing this season. We have also just attained kit sponsorship for our National Junior volleyball program with Plymouth Studio School so its looks like you'll be hearing a lot more from our juniors for years to come"
The picture is Under 18 girls squad in their new kit sponsored by Plymouth Studio School - Back row L to R - 2 Megan Leeds, 9 Anya Brentnall, 11 Bryony Ford, 8 Victoria Wilkins 10 Captain Chelsea-Nicole Mitchell - front row L to R - 6 Chloe Burns, 1 Rosy Stanesby (Libero) and 7 Emily Tutty (photo courtesy of David Cranch)
