NVL weekend action review!

Despite Cambridge taking the first set (25-23) against Essex Blaze, the Blaze weren’t giving up their 100% record that easily. They took the game to four sets with the fourth set going to a tiebreak to prevent it from going to five. 

Essex were able to take the game 3-1 ( 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 27-25). This puts them top of the men's Division 1 table having played three games. 

Weymouth Volleyball are hot on their heels having only played two games but after victory over Manchester Marvels on Sunday in straight sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-17)

Weymouth faces fourth-place London Aces next weekend with the aim of claiming that top stop early into the season.  

A close four-set match between Wombourne and Hounslow with Wombourne taking the first set 25-22 but Hounslow fighting back and taking the next three sets 25-23, 25-22, 25,22. 

This boosts Houndslow to third in the Men’s Division 2 Central after winning two and losing one. 

Norwich Spikers maintained their 100% start to the season with victory over Newmarket VC in straight sets 25-22, 25-19, 25-14. This keeps them top of the table only by one set with Cambridge VC snapping at their heels with the same record but dropping two sets. 

Four matches into the season for Chester Men in the North West Division 3 and they have only dropped two sets! The Cheshire side sits top of the table after four games with their next match match not until the 5th of November. 

Their victory over Manchester Marvels Mavericks in straight sets (25-15, 25-6, 25-16) keeps their hopes of promotion open even this early into the season. 

For all the results and tables for the men’s NVL click here.

In the women's first division, Richmond are top just ahead of Stockport who have played one game fewer.  Richmond took on Bristol VC on Sunday with Bristol starting well taking the first set 25-15. 

This shocked the Richmond side who battled back and took the next three sets giving them a 3-1 victory (15-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-21). This win allowed them to secure their place at the top of the table despite losing their second game against Everton Belugas. 

The Merseyside team are two wins and two losses in Division 1 with a victory over Southhampton Ladies in another game which went to four sets.

Southampton opened their season with a long trip up to Everton and took the first set off the team 25-23. But Everton answered back with the next three sets going their way 25-23, 25-12, 25-15. 

Despite this loss, the Hampshire side are looking forward to their next match against Stockport. Stockport hopes to leapfrog Richmond when they face Southhampton with them currently sitting second with a 2-1 record. 

A Manchester Derby between Manchester Marvels Mayhem and Manchester Marvels Mystics was yet another four setter. 

This was the Mystics' first match of the NVL this season. They got the season off to a good start taking the first set 25-20. However, the Mayhem side who were two games into the season showed what they had learnt in their two opening games. Mayhem were able to take the next three sets 25-23, 25-18 25-20. 

This puts Manchester Marvels Mayhem third with Sheffield VC and Team Sunderland above them. 

Portsmouth had a mammoth five-set game against Cheltenham and Gloucester Ladies with the fourth set going to a tiebreaker. 

Portsmouth started off strong winning two sets 25-16, 25-18. However, Cheltenham and Gloucester were able to respond to this and took the third and fourth set 25-22, 33-31. 

This set up a final set for the two teams but Portsmouth were the ones who claimed victory with the fifth set ending 15-6. 

Portsmouth end the week level on points with City of Bristol Ladies but second overall after having three sets against them. 

For all the results and next week's fixtures for the NVL click here.