No problem as JBT and SFF wrap up points

JBT Ladies and Shetland Freezer Foods both had straight-sets wins in the women’s volleyball league on Friday, while in a very close match LadySpurs Express managed to see off the challenge of Sandwick. In the men’s league JBT Sovers defeated DITT Globetrotters in a four-setter.

BP Sullom Voe Men’s League

JBT Sovers 3, DITT Globetrotters 1
(18-25, 25-21, 25-17, 27-25)

After a tentative start from both teams the score inched forward to 8-7 to DITT. A good run of serves from Robert Melkevik took DITT to 14-8 and they pulled further ahead following some great attacking play by Karl Sinclair. James Aitken placed some deceptive shots in reply and Jordan Morrison sent six screaming serves over to boost Sovers’ score but DITT went on to take the set 25-18.

Sovers started set two much more determined as Thomason served four in a row. The set continued with very few lengthy rallies. The best move was undoubtedly an outside hit from Thomason which took DITT completely by surprise. Sovers held on a narrow lead and evened the sets at 1-1.

The third set proved to be the most exciting so far with some excellent build-up play allowing setters Lewis Anderson and Robert Melkevik to feed the hitters some tantalising volleys. A great reverse set from Joshua Morrison to Paul Hibbert resulted in a well-placed strike to regain service. Aitken served JBT through to 21-13 and they went on to take the set following a much more convincing period of play.

Set four started with a massive spike from Thomason as JBT stormed ahead to 15-8. DITT, due mainly to excellent defensive work but also due to some errors by the Sovers, were able to come back to within three points. Solid net play by Aitken and Jordan Morrison kept the Sovers ahead but a cracker of a spike from Sinclair put Sovers on the back foot. DITT kept up the pressure to level at 22-22 but cool heads from Sovers saw them close out the set.

MVP for Sovers was Lewis Anderson while for DITT Juergen Kurtz took the honours.

BP Sullom Voe Ladies’ League

Shet. Freezer Foods 3, Bench Warmers 0

The match started nervously for both teams but it was Shetland Freezer Foods who settled first with Shona Robb getting the first points on the board and Liz Haining having a successful run of service. The Bench Warmers were unable to use their three touches effectively, giving SFF plenty of time to set up attacks and they took the first set.

Bench Warmers started the second set on a more positive note, taking the first two points. But SFF rallied and took control back with some strong serving from Julie Keith. Melissa Calderwood built on the lead with some excellent serves, taking her side to 12-5. Bench Warmers managed to use their three touches a couple of times and it proved effective, winning them vital points with a few hits from Gayle Johnson. SFF were too strong, however, and Suzanne Inkster served out the second set.

Both teams had more confidence in the third set but again it was SFF who took the lead with Julie Keith continuing to serve well. Bench Warmers set up some attacks through Margaret Johnson, but SFF were too strong. At 14-7 Bench Warmers dug deep but it was not enough to stop SFF. Haining had another good run of service and SFF took the match.

It was a great team effort from Freezer Foods with Margaret Johnson singled out as most valuable player. Bench Warmers never gave up trying and Margaret Johnson was voted their MVP.

Sandwick 2, LadySpurs Express 3
(25-5, 25-8, 23-25, 12-25, 14-16)

The teams took to the court and almost immediately the wheels began to come off the LadySpurs’ wagon as Sandwick dominated in every aspect of the game.

Sandwick showed good discipline and stuck to their plan of playing simple dig, set, hit volleyball. Their players positioned themselves well and engaged in the game, allowing the setters to feed the hitters good accurate sets, which were put away cleanly and simply. LadySpurs, on the other hand, showed little court discipline with players frequently out of position and failing to support each other. This resulted in a runaway victory for Sandwick in the first two sets. All looked desperate for LadySpurs as they went back on to court for set three, but with all the pressure suddenly on Sandwick to finish off the match, each and every one of them turned on and finally committed themselves to the game. Set three was a cliffhanger with the score 25-23 for LadySpurs.

Going into the fourth set Sandwick, clearly feeling the pressure, began to lose their discipline a little. Meanwhile LadySpurs, finally identifying the key to defending, began to play the kind of volleyball that they are capable of. Discipline was back, mistakes were getting fewer and teamwork improved, which allowed them to level the sets at 2-2. Sandwick won serve in the final set and put forward Joan Smith to apply early pressure, which she did very effectively. Sandwick went into the halfway change-over ahead but in the second half of the set once more began to lose their discipline in defence which led to some desperate attempts to keep the ball alive. The set progressed with both teams playing their hearts out but it was LadySpurs who were able to seal the final set by the closest of margins.

MVPs were Joan Smith for Sandwick and Sarah Grogan for LadySpurs.

T Rowley Juniors 0, JTB Ladies 3
(13-25, 15-25, 22-25)

Jill Hibbert served first for JBT, scoring three points before Juniors settled. JBT’s Erica Leask set well for Monika Los, who powered down some great spikes. Juniors won back serve and with Ava Sim putting in a good run of serves and JBT making some unforced errors, they racked up some well-earned points. But again JBT took control of the set and finished it off with Vikki Henderson playing very well on the front court and then serving strongly. In the second set Los took JBT into an early lead. Ava Sim and Louise Birnie were working very well at the net putting together some great attacks. JBT’s Hazel Aitkin defended very well, making some great pick-ups and setter Mandy Phillips achieved one of the first blocks of her volleyball career. Junior Birnie put in a very strong set both on the back court and hitting some punishing spikes on the front, making JBT work hard. But JBT proved the stronger team and took the set.

Juniors came out for the third set with a fighting spirit and took a five-point lead but with a lucky net rolling dig from Anne Mouat JBT took back serve. Los fired in some great serves that TR Juniors could not deal with and JBT took the lead again. At 14-9 Juniors called time-out and made a substitution, bringing on Sim who had an instant effect by winning serve with a great hit then serving an ace. This seemed to spur on the Juniors to keep fighting and make a very respectable comeback. But with Hibbert and Henderson playing well on the front court JBT finished off the set and the match.

MVPs were JBT’s Vikki Henderson and T Rowley Junior Louise Birnie.

Fixtures Tonight – Sandwick Games Hall: Sandwick v Harry’s Hotspurs at 6.30pm (first referee JBT Ladies, second referee Sandwick Ladies); JBT Ladies v Sandwick Ladies at 8.30pm (first referee Sandwick men, second referee Harry’s Hotspurs).

Clickimin: DITT Globetrotters v LHD Drifters at 7pm (first referee LadySpurs Express, second referee Shetland Freezer Foods); LadySpurs Express v Shetland Freezer Foods at 9pm (first referee DITT Globetrotters, second referee LHD Drifters).