Congratulations to the South West U16 Girls Squad for winning this year’s Inter Regional Competition held at the National Volleyball Centre, Kettering. The squad was unbeaten during the two days of competition; dropping only 3 sets on the way to overall victory. The girls received many compliments throughout the weekend, they were technically the best players and tactically the best squad.
A long first day of competition saw the South West in 1st place after beating last year’s losing finalists London 2-0; East Midlands 2-0; East 2-1; and winning an exciting hard fought game against last year’s overall winners South East 2-1. This gave the South West a guaranteed semi final position.
A 2-1 victory against West Midlands in the last pool game on Sunday morning kept the South West in first place. This set up a semi final game against a London team who had improved over the competition after suffering an early 2-0 defeat to the South West on Saturday morning.
The South West proved too strong for the London squad winning the game 2-0 and securing a place in the finals; the first time since 2010. The second semi final was a closely fought match between the East and the South-East (last year’s winners) with the East becoming eventual winners 2-1.
The final was played in front of a large and noisy crowd and didn’t fail to deliver. The South West served and attacked with power and defended with skill and agility to take the first set. The East responded well and took an early lead in the second set. The South West battled hard and eventually drew even and went on to win what could be described as an awe-inspiring victory.
Squad members
Anaya Evans
Edith Waterman
Ellie Austin
Ellie Cranch
Helen Farr
Holly Merrifield
Lois Chitticks
Megan Leeds
Rebecca Chamberlain
Sophie Watts
Vicky Wilkins
Yasmin Kaashoek
More photo at: https://www.swva.org.uk/photo-album
Paul Locke
