Winchester Eagles Volleyball Club

What a great night for the Eagles at the SADVA Cup and what an incredible performance the team pulled. The Eagles were not going to have any easy games, facing two really strong teams – Roke and SVC. However, brilliantly led by captain MacKay, the team immediately took the lead in the first game against Roke, always keeping the opposition at a safe distance a few points behind throughout the first set. With Reidy’s, MacKay’s, Hunt’s and Johnson’s invincible block, Roke was really struggling to score any points, whilst their defence couldn’t cope with the Eagles’ relentless hitting. In the second set, Roke tried to put the Eagles under pressure with their serve but the team reacted well and gave Roke no chances, finishing the game with a neat 2-0.
The second game against SVC proved harder, with the Eagles starting to feel the tiredness after a first intense game and an extremely long warm up. The Eagles secured the first set with great serving and amazing block and defence. The second set slipped by just a few points, with the Eagles struggling to come back quickly enough after a setback due to serving pressure. However, the set closed with the Eagles building great momentum, which was carried over in the tie break. This was a very tight set, with the Eagles having to fight for every point. The great team work paid off and the Eagles secured a 2-1 victory. The team could not have done it without its supporters, who even caught some of the best actions on camera. Watch this space.

Excellent performance for the Winchester Eagles Mixed team last weekend in Gosport at the Hampshire Volleyball Association mixed indoor tournament. Due to injuries, the Eagles had to compete without subs in a series of five timed games, which stretched our players physical endurance. With no time outs allowed, the team had to improvise tactical changes and adapt technical strategies rally after rally. The amazing effort shown by all players paid off, with the Eagles taking third place after Roke and SVC.

A possible ten players made themselves available earlier this week, with two of the older fraternity dropping out due to age related complaints or Grandaddy duties!

Eight it was and what a super performance by 7 of them (Bancey having a shocker) with Captain Mackay having his best evening for Eagles of his career.

Controlled back court play from the team saw us edge past New Forest Vets, with Andy M hitting and blocking beautifully throughout.

The second game was a really strong performance with Marsh and Bance benched. The experience of National league ladies Ang and Nina plus the explosive power of young Robin destroyed any hoped of the Academicals.

Note to Dunc, who had an exemplary game throughout.

Pub duly attended and a couple of nice beers sunk.

https://volleyballengland.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=548292ef3355e7098184b8e8c&id=c142be13d4&e=74a58e01c4

Eagles first evening of league volleyball ended with one win and one narrow defeat.

With a bare bones six, the veteran team breezed past the New Forest Youngsters with controlled accurate serving from Andy Mackay and Paul Thwaites. End score 21-6, 21-7

A tougher test awaited, with the highly fancied and noisy Roke Polonia the Eagles Opponents. A tough first set saw Eagles miss out by 4 points, however the team dusted itself down to beat Polonia squarely. Sadly the third set was a step too far losing by 5 points.

A few beers were consumed in the The Junction with 80’s music and video to accompany, rather fitting for the average age of the team!

JB