06/07 Season
Date: Sunday 15th October 2006

Milton Keynes vs Bridgend
Score: 2-3 Loss (21-25 15-25 25-23 25-21 10-15)

Not the best start, but positives to take away...
After South Hants withdrawal from the league, this left MKVC's opening weekend as a single header versus the fancied Bridgend, who were currently unbeaten having not dropped a single set so far. It was looking to be going the same result today, but MKVC had some fight about them to prevent that...at least not to lose 3-0.

The match started with MKVC being very tentative, clearly suffering from a lack of match time, as Bridgend took the initiative. The early 2 point lead that Bridgend had continued throughout the set right up to 18-20. But a series of points lost by MKVC meant that Bridgend ran out winners of the set at 21-25. We did see the appearance of debutante Nigel Collins, who has come through from club volleyball. Nigel gave a great account of himself, making a good couple of blocks and hits.

The second set was even worse for MKVC, as Bridgend tightened the screw allowing MKVC only 15 points in the set, finishing in just 18 minutes!

Coach Karen Smith rallied the troops and MKVC came out in the 3rd set a different team. The lads knew that if they didn't fight, then Bridgend would come away as 3-0 winners, and MKVC were not prepared for this to happen. MKVC started to get to grips with the slow hands of the Bridgend setter, making more blocks, pushing Bridgend back on their heels. Setter Scott Robson continued to spread the attack to try and keep the Bridgend defence guessing, and the MKVC hitters started to play more intelligently, picking out the gaps and wiping off the block. Middle hitter Matt Gough (nominated as man of the match by Bridgend) stepped up to the plate and made some excellent plays through the middle and was clearly a threat. Matt Gough has shown excellent improvement from where he was this time last year, which was playing only local league.

All of the above, along with great passing and backcourt defence by Matt Almond and Kev Smith helped MKVC to secure the 3rd and 4th set, 25-23 and 25-21, setting up an exciting final set to take the match. Given that MKVC looked dead and buried after the 2nd set, this was a tremendous fight back from the home team.

MKVC started poorly in the final set, finding themselves 4 points behind at the turn round. It seemed like MKVC had given all they'd got in order to level the match and had little left to give. With tired legs, MKVC found it hard to turn round the deficit, and Bridgend took the final set 10-15, and the match 2-3.

It was shame that MKVC couldn't turn it round, but the lads have gone home tonight with their heads held high after such a good fight back. Bridgend were clearly the more powerful side, and deserved their victory today, but MKVC will be hoping for revenge at their place later in the season.

Next match(es): Sunday 29th October away at Bristol playing Bristol 2 and Plymouth from 11am.

Team: Matt Almond, Simon Barton, Colin Brown, Nigel Collins, Dave Goddard, Matt Gough, Scott Robson, Nishi Saran, Kevin Smith, Andreas Whitley & Coach Karen Smith

MKVC not only supports National and Local League volleyball, but also offers training and recreational volleyball to all levels of players from beginners to veterans.

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