Volleyball: UUJ want another shot on euro stage

Saturday, October 13, 2007

By Paddy Murphy

Latvian strongmen Riga ended the Ulster team's European Volleyball Cup season in an emphatic fashion.

The powerful visitors beat Ireland's only representatives 25-16, 25-17, 25-12 in the second leg first round match and go through to the next round on a 6-0 sets scoreline.

The men from the Baltic State were too tall and powerful and overcame a UUJ side filled with Northern Ireland Internationals and bolstered by USA World Student Games players Dave Smith and Will Strickland, GB International David Hamilton and Californian Coaches Tom Johnson and Alan Knipe.

Team captain Nick Wright confirmed this was the last international volleyball match to be played at the hall as it does not meet full European Confederation (CEV) specifications. A new hall being built on site does and UUJ look forward to competing once more in Europe he added.

The small number of fans may have numbered only a hundred but the quality of volleyball was outstanding and as some remarked to see it live rather than at distance on TV was a positive bonus. Many of the spectators were members of youth volleyball clubs and this hour long lesson will have longer enduring memories and examples for them.

Once again however, UUJ proved they can deliver quality volleyball. The players with their international seasoning did their best but the back up support from line judges, scorers, announcers, ball retrievers and floor wipers as well as other members of the volunteer Event team are to be praised for first class effort well appreciated by their Latvian guests and the two well travelled Icelandic referees who were loud in praise for Ulster organisation and hospitality.

Singled out was Nick Wright but NIVA General Secretary Mark Fulton was also a key man in the event.

The British men's squad arrived in Holland at the end of last month and were greeted by their hosts from Club Martinus and Dutch National television.

The next day they played their first 'friendly' against the University of Amsterdam, losing the sets played but finding it useful training. Since then it's been daily training, and the first historic league matches for the British squad start this weekend.

In the All Ireland men's league, the championship starts this weekend with both Ulster teams on the road. Novices Queen's are at Aer Lingus while it's a long trek for UU Corona to cbphoto Limerick hoping to overcome any hangover from last weekend's Latvian loss.

Trouble for fancied Trinity who have not found a coach. Spokesman Hugh Nohilly said: " The Trinity Premier men's team are looking for a coach. This is a team with experienced players looking for someone who will bring their own experience to both training and matches. With a number of Cup titles and good league finishes in recent years, the team is looking to go a step further."