NUVOC Volleyball Club Edinburgh

Well, well, well - both teams turned out with fuller than fuller compliment of players - 10 players a piece. not bad going for a rearranged fixture and it looked from the outset that both teams were up for the game.

So on paper, it should have been a formality, 5 zip the last time nuvoc played beacon, nuvoc sitting 3rd in league, beacon sitting close to bottom. On paper it's fine and dandy but on the court it was a totally different matter. Beacon came out of the traps with the bit between their teeth, well formed and all players doing a job. NUVOC on the other hand seemed to be out of sorts, jittery passing and inconsidered discipline let them down throughout the sets.

NUVOC managed to edge set one, the teams traded points right to the bitter end with Beacon pulling a four point streak at the squeaky end to bring it to 22-21. fortunately for NUVOC the streak came to an untimely end and put the boys in the driving seat once again. The team managed to hold it together and take the set 25-23.

Set two unfolded a different story. Convincing blocking from Beacon allowed their back court to mop up straggling balls and convert to a solid attack. NUVOC were all over the shop with all wheels pulling in different directions. Beacon kept it disciplined and NUVOC didn't. Wheels off. Beacon deserved winners of this set 23-25.

Set three, NUVOC into reverse and Beacon into overdrive. Balls dropping short, stronger service onto the normally reasonable NUVOC passing unit causing disjointed play. Beacon scrapped well, NUVOC always on retreat. Thumped 15-25. Beacon now 2-1 up and NUVOC gasping for some semblance of natural volleyball that they were more than capable of playing.

Set four and NUVOC blistered into a 5 zip lead, more aggressive serving eliminated Beacon options and allowed NUVOC to work on the defence. Strange set all round, NUVOC didn't look as if they were in a position to lose it however another four point run from Beacon did colour the underwear slightly. Alas, NUVOC weren't going to surrender to the fairy tale victory that Beacon so wanted.  NUVOC hit the twenties first and gladly levelled the game at 2 sets all by taking the fourth 25-20.

It was lucky lotto time and into the fifth. It was swings and more swings and roundabouts. NUVOC managed to pull ahead to 6-4 then beacon put in another 4 point stretch to take them into the switchover 8-6 up, trade , trade, beacon put in another 3 points and found themselves within sniffing distance of a great victory. 11-8 to Beacon. NUVOC side out, win point, beacon side out. 12-10 to Beacon. Beacon injury time out 12-10 disrupted play slightly, unforced substitution. Side out to NUVOC score now sitting at 11-13. Now was the time to step up to the plate - all Beacon had to do was put the ball on the NUVOC court and they would have been serving for the match. All NUVOC had to do was score four points...no pressure...

So to put it all in numbers

Pentland NUVOC 3 - 2 Beacon (25-23, 23-25, 15-25, 25-20, 15-13)

If the boys from Beacon play the remainder of their games as they did today then they more than deserve their position in  Division Two.

A special thanks to the officials, players and support who made today's game possible