Super League Review (2nd 3rd November) - Vinarius record third win on the spin

The latest two of those came this weekend as they rode the momentum of a thrilling 3-2 victory over Essex Rebels to also beat reigning champions Durham Palatinates and Leeds Gorse - both on the road. 

First making the long trip up to Durham on Saturday, the London side made a statement early, taking the first set decisively with new signings Maria Sviridova and Mallory Porcher combining for an impressive 11 kills. 

Lionhearts maintained their pressure, with Sviridova and Porcher, who respectively finished the match with 18 and 11 kills, to the fore, narrowly edging the second set 25-23. 

And despite Durham's resilience, Lionhearts were able to close out the match clinching the third set by a nail-biting score of 26-24, handing the hosts their second loss of the season.  

Visiting MVP Lyubomira Atansova recorded 34 assists from 108 attempts as well as 12 digs. 

Caroline Belmontez was chosen as Durham’s MVP after completing 28 of 30 service receipt attempts and making 21 digs. 

The Palatinates now turn their focus to a high-stakes rematch on November 16 against Team SideOut Polonia, the National Cup holders and Super League finalists. 

But for the Lionhearts, the weekend was not over as they took on a Leeds side who were coming off a 3-1 victory over Cambridge the previous week.  

The visitors started strongly, taking the first two sets 25-19 and 25-21. However, Gorse found their rhythm, narrowly winning the third and fourth sets 25-23 to level the match. 

But in the tie-breaking fifth set the momentum swung again as Vinarius rediscover their early-game form to secure a 15-8 win and, with it, an overall 3-2 success. 

Maggie Steward was MVP for the victors while Precious Uwagboe was selected for Gorse. 

Lionhearts face another double header next weekend, hosting Darkstar Derbyshire on Saturday before travelling to Essex Rebels on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, Team SideOut Polonia continued their unbeaten start to 2024-25 with another dominant 3-0 win, this time over Cambridge ARU. 

The National Cup holders set the tone with a commanding 25-7 first set and never looked back from there. 

Cambridge put up a spirited fight in the following sets, but Polonia held firm, closing out the match 25-23 and 25-22. 

Merve Akin successfully assisted 24 times from 50 attempts to be named as MVP for the hosts, while Juliana Pallamin completed 18 from 18 service receipts, seven kills, one block assist and three digs in a losing cause to get the nod for Cambridge. 

SideOut are now up to second in the table, level on points with Malory, and prepare to host Darkstar Derbyshire this coming Sunday. 

In the Dynamik Men’s Super League, only one match was played this weekend, as London Giants visited Newcastle Knights.  

Giants – having won against Team Bristol in the National Cup on Saturday, and clinching victories over IBB Polonia and Stockport last week – were looking to extend their winning streak.  

The first set proved to be very close and crucial before the visitors edged it 26-24. 

That gave the Giants the momentum and they used it to also taker the next two sets 25-21 and 25-22. 

Richard Uhlir claimed MVP honours for Giants after serving two aces and completing 28 assists from 62 attempts, while Kelechi Bell was chosen for the Knights after serving two aces, completing 11 kills and one block assist and making five digs. 

Giants will face Essex Rebels next Sunday, setting their sights on the top of the table. 

Image by Ashear Jees

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