06/07 Season
Date: Sunday 26th November 2006

Milton Keynes vs Reading University
Score: 0-3 Loss (20-25 18-25 15-25)

Milton Keynes vs Guildford International 2
Score: 3-0 WIN (25-19 25-18 25-18)

MK notch up their first win!
The first of MK's matches on Sunday was versus Reading University, who were not only unbeaten, but they hadn't even dropped a set this year. So MK knew that it was going to be a tough match. It looked as though Reading Uni came along thinking that it would be an easy day given the state of the league with neither MK nor Guildford having won a match, however it was MK that started the match the stronger which seemed to shock Reading a little. However, it soon became clear that MK were out-gunned by the Reading side as they began to turn on their play. MK fought valiantly, and probably played the best they have all season, defending very well giving Reading a few problems. But, Reading were strong enough to the take the match in 3 sets despite MK's best efforts and continuing their run of not dropping a set.

MK came down from Div 2 last year and the lads agreed that the Reading team they faced at the weekend were probably strong enough to win Div 2 last year, so there was no shame in going down in 3 sets. It was testimony to the MK team when the opposition players were asking us after the match why we hadn't won a game yet, as it was the best defensive performance they had seen so far this season. This can only spur the MK team on to win some more matches and get them off the bottom of the table.

In MK's second game, this is exactly what they did. MK faced Guildford who had not won a match either this season and in fact had only won 2 sets. MK watched Reading take Guildford apart without breaking sweat in the middle game of the day, so MK knew they were in with their best chance of taking their first win. Having said that, it was Guildford who started the stronger, making it clear that they weren't just there to make up the numbers and if MK didn't perform then they could easily be beaten.

Some stern words from Coach Karen Smith at a time-out pulled the team back into action, and saw MK take a 20-13 lead. It was at this point that MK blooded a new player to the team, seeing Andris making his debut as setter, replacing Scott Robson who hasn't seen the bench for a number of seasons! Andris had been performing well in training and deserved his chance, which he took well, seeing out the match which saw MK winning 3-0! This now gives Coach Smith more options to play with and the chance to get Robson off when he loses his head or to simply change the flow of the game with a different setter.

All in all it was a successful day, notching up their first win and getting off bottom of the league, playing well against the strongest team in the division by far and blooding new players.

Next match(es): MK's next matches are against Solent and Reading University again on 10th December in Southampton.

Team: Matt Almond, Colin Brown, Nigel Collins, Dave Goddard, Matt Gough, Andris Rackis, 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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