NVL Review (28th and 29th October)

Stockport Women sit top of the Division 1 table after a strong performance and 3-0 victory over Southampton Ladies, where AriannaM ariotto was named MVP.   

The hosts started off well, with a 25-13 opening set win, and continued this momentum through the second and third, taking them 25-15, 25-15.  

There was also a victory for Bristol against Everton Belugas, and they are now only one point behind the Merseyside team with two games in hand. Bristol were able to take the game in three sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-13). 

Wessex, who play Richmond next week, are only a point behind Stockport after their success over the London Inter Crocs. 

Their journey to London made it three wins from three at the start of their League campaign, this latest success a 3-0 victory (25-12, 25-18, 25-17).  

It was an enjoyable weekend for Sheffield, who found double success in beating both Everton Narwhals and Leeds Gorse 2.  

After being narrowly edged out by 25-22 in the first set by the Narwhals, the South Yorkshire club hit back hard and only dropped three points in the second set. 

Everton snatched the third set in a narrow tie-break (26-24), but Sheffield dug in from 2-1 down to take the fourth and fifth sets, 25-21, 15-10.  

After finishing well on Saturday, Sheffield came out the blocks flying in their Sunday afternoon match – and didn’t let up.  

They were able to take the game in straight sets 25-19, 25-16, 25-10. putting them in pride of place at the top of the Division 2 North with a record of 4-0. 

Team Sunderland are close behind with a record of 3-0 and are set to play Sheffield next Sunday in a top of the table clash. 

A very close match between Oxford Eagles and Loughborough Students took place on Sunday, with the Eagles coming out on top in a 3-2 victory (25-18, 25-13, 20-25, 26-24, 15-6).  

Loughborough gamely fought back from 2-0 down, but ran out of steam in the decider, leaving them third in the table and Oxford second. 

Herts travelled to Coventry and Warwick Riga 2 intending to remain unbeaten and did so against opponents still searching for their first League win of 2023-24. 

The visitors were able to show why they are top of the table, fending off some strong Riga fight to win the first set 25-21. 

The second and third sets quickly followed (25-10, 25-21) and Herts will be looking to continue their unbeaten start next week when they face Cambridge Rhinos.  

In the men’s action, Essex Blaze looked to continue their progress in Division One, with eyes on promotion to the Super League. 

They faced a London Giants team who won their opening match against Coventry and Warwick Riga.  

The Blaze were able to continue their red hot form as they grabbed another victory (25-21, 25-17, 25-13), putting them three points clear of second place Weymouth having played one more game than the coastal team. 

Essex will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they take on Coventry and Warwick Riga next weekend.  

Weymouth are also unbeaten in Division One and continued their streak this weekend with a straight sets victory over London Aces (25-12, 25-20, 25-16).  

They can secure a four and zero record if they win against Cambridge ARU next weekend.  

Cambridge, meanwhile, were able to claim their first victory of the season with a straight sets victory over Tamworth Spartans (25-21, 25-23, 25-20).  

Wiltshire Mavericks shared a five-set thriller with Spelthorne Lions, securing a sensational turnaround in the process. 

Spelthorne took the first two sets 25-22, 25-16 and looked set to take the game in straight sets.  

However, Mavericks hit back and took the third set 25-20, following it up with the fourth as well, 25-18. 

This set up a final set decider where Wiltshire held their lever to come through 15-12 and take the overall 3-2 win.  

Wessex were not able to replicate the success of the women’s squad when taking on Bristol as the South West club took the game in three sets. 

Bristol remain unbeaten in Division 2 South and, with it, stay top of the table. 

The trio of squads facing each other in Division 3 South had Reading Aces, Weymouth Waves and Bedminster Volleyball all playing against each other.  

The Aces were able to take two wins from two with a convincing 3-0 victory over Bedminster followed by a 3-1 victory over Weymouth. The other match saw Weymouth edge out Bedminster 3-1.  

Reading’s two victories boost them up the table to second position, behind only Southampton on sets against.  

All the results of this weekend’s NVL action can be viewed here.