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Its not often Scotland's minority sports sneek on to our television screens but thanks to Sport Monthly on BBC 2 things are finally looking up. City of Edinburgh and Glasgow Ragazzi put on a fantastic display of volleyball infront of a packed stadium at Wishaw Sports Centre. It was not quite the end to the season that the City were looking for but has been the most successful season to date in the first division! To see the interviews and some of the footage click here!
The third and fourth Scottish league playoffs was decided today in one of the most exciting games of volleyball this season! The City took on Glasgow Su Ragazzi, inside the ferry high school, to what has become a fortress for the Edinburgh boys over the course of the season. The opening set did not quite go according to plan for the City as Ragazzi looked the sharper of the two sides. Ragazzi were clinical, making no errors and whilst Todd ran their offence City gifted the Glasgow side with too many incomplete plays. 21-25 The second and third sets were dominated by the City 25-19/25-19. Watt was instrumental in running an explosive Burgh offence that the Ragazzi side simply couldn’t handle. Service pressure from the City brought errors in all areas of the Ragazzi game and the City ended the set on a role of confidence!
The fifth and deciding set was thrilling! After an even start from both teams the City seemed to falling out of the match and Ragazzi attacked and blocked their way into a commanding lead. The City once again displayed some metal with Hunter and Grievnk making their mark on the Glasgow attackers. A strong finish to the match mirrored by a tremendous team effort snatched the match from Ragazzi and put this City side into the history books! Third in the league! Well done guys! After recording their fifth win out of six, over last seasons Glasgow champs the two teams will meet in the Scottish Cup Final on the 19th April. So get yourself along to Wishaw Sports Centre for another great day of volleyball. You may even get yourself on TV as the BBC will be in attendance!
Today the City welcomed Ragazzi to Queensferry, looking like a completely different side and appeared to have recaptured the kind of great play that saw them finish 2nd in the league prior to the playoffs. After racing off to a great start the City were still suffering some teething problems and made some unforced errors opening the door for Ragazzi once more. The City held on to what was a close opening set. 25-23 Another great start to the next set laid the foundations for some great Edinburgh volleyball. The Glasgow side appeared to be crumbling under the pressure from the City attack. 25-15 Set 3 (20-25) and 4 (21-25) saw Ragazzi alter their tactics slightly and Galloway became unstoppable. Whilst the City gave away a lead at the beginning of each set they could not claw back enough points to close out the match. Even with some spectacular defence from McGuigan and spectacular hitting from Hammond it just wasn't enough! The deciding set was dominated by the City. Hunter and Watt closed down Galloway and Ragazzi were now running out of ideas. Some superb block defence from Edinburgh won the match with a 3 man roof block! 15-12 The two sides go head to head next Saturday in the final match of the league to decide who will take the prize of 3rd. A big congrats to Glasgow Mets who won the league title today in spectacular fashion!!
City of Edinburgh once again held the biggest and best junior volleyball tournament for boys and girls aged from primary 4 all the way though to 4th year at high school!Every year has been a great success for the Edinburgh based tournament and this year was no different. Teams travelled from as far a field as Orkney and from all over the country to take part for the fun and for the competition of it all (see the report)
After a long season of some exceptional volleyball which resulted in second place in the league, it was time to wipe the slate clean and get into the playoffs. The City had drawn Glasgow Mets in the best of three matches but because of league placings Edinburgh had home advantage if a third match was required. From the outset in the first match City threw away points from the service line. Almost nine points in each set were direct errors! Mets were playing superb volleyball and it became impossible for the City to impact the match. Krawzyck and Ivan became unstoppable and pounded the City floor splitting the City block every time! 0-3
City fought for the match and at times displayed some great plays that saw them finish second in he league. Before long it became clear it just was not meant to be, as Mets continued to pressurise the City passing unit and more mistakes were made. 3-1 Mets are by far the strongest team City have faced this season and it appears the long season has caught up with the a sustained high level of play for the City. The Burgh will have a week off before getting back to work in the build up for the Cup Final!
Today City of Edinburgh secured a home advantage for the playoffs that take place next weekend. By beating Fife in 3 straight sets meant that Mets could not get near the City in the league placings. City were down 2 key players for todays away fixture in Fife which meant McGuigan, sufferring from an injured knee since last November, would have took take up a hitting slot on court. Fife were out to keep their heads above the relegation zone and could afford to do nothing but go all out for a win!
Fife began to force errors from the City side who seemed to be struggling with concentration at times and the second set was level pegging for some time. Hammond produced some great serves and MacNab and Watt made the points at the business end of the set to make it 0-2 (21-25) Fife once again started the set very well and pulled away into a 5 point lead by producing a great string serve block plays. It seemed like an upset was on the cards but after a time out the City lads had given themselves a shake and stepped up a gear once more. Some very solid but basic plays saw City loosen the Fife strangle hold and eventually pull away from a deflated opposition. 15-25 City of Edinburgh II continued what has turned out to be a fantastic end to their season. The City II ran over the top of Troon Carrick & Kyle today with a superb 0-5 win! Finishing 3rd in the league, unbeaten at home and overcoming the two top teams in the league second half of the season is just sign of things to come! The players are happy with their volleyball at present and want to push on for promotion next season. With the way they are playing I dont know who could argue with their ambitions. Well done guys!
The second last game in the league before the City take part in the playoffs was meant to be a huge match. City playing hosts to Su Ragazzi, a match always full of great volleyball and excitement! City welcomed a large crowd for this match with each spectator given an inflatable 'banger' to appreciate the good play and make as much noise as possible! Ragazzi had turned up with a less than full strength squad and City wanted to put this game into the bag as quick as possible. The atmosphere was fantastic and the noise deafening, which is a credit to those who came to watch. The City started off in great form and raced into the lead with the Glasgow side unable to stop the City attack. Even with the Ragazzi block standing firm the City defence was outstanding to a point that allowed them to counter and score. 25-18
The third set saw City make some concentration errors but they were just too strong for the visitors! The City outside hitters were once again a pleasure to watch as Watt helped them pick the Glasgow side apart to the delight of the crowd!! 25-22 A noisy end to this match celebrated the third win of the season for the City over the Glasgow giants. City of Edinburgh II have been on a great run of play recently and today was no different. NUVOC III felt the heat from McAshey's serve on many occasions and McHardy's powerful middle attacks which were found to be unstoppable! When there was glimpse of hope voiced by the City rivals, points were clawed back from the likes of Parker and MacNab in serve and defence. City II now leap to third in the league after some great wins and look to be seeing out the rest of the season in style! 4-1
It was fair to say that the City were fortunate with their Scottish Semi Final draw, missing the two Division 1 big guns. Troon on the other hand have been playing well and didn't reach the semi finals on luck! City knew they would have to go all out to reach their second final of the season. During the warm up things didn't go quite according to plan as McGuigan felt an old injury rear its ugly head and Hammond began to feel unwell again after not quite getting over a stomach bug from last week. McGuigan sat the first set on the bench and Hammond hit some great shots before he had done enough. A scrappy first set which City powered through in the end. 20-25 The second set saw Wallace replace Hammond and Troon demonstrate why they were in the semi final. Troon opened this set with more fight than the last, determined that they wouldn't be swept aside by the Burgh. City brought McGuigan on to strengthen the passing and defensive units and just narrowly pulled through to go 0-2. 23-25
City's mid week clash with Glasgow Mets on Tuesday night was due to the postponed match first day of the season and a win would set a playoff place in stone. Both teams were at full strength (apart from an unwell Simon Hammond) but from the first set City never really looked in it. Mets capitalised on errors and lack luster plays from the City side. Krawczyk rooted the City block and with some spectacular finishes Mets took the first set with almost no resistance. 25-21 The second set watched McGuigan trying to rally the troops and the fight almost paid off for the City side. A very tight set was separated only by some uncharacteristic errors and whilst having two match points, City were unable to take advantage. An important set was snatched away by the impressive Mets! 30-28
The beginning of the third set saw a struggling Simon Hammond removed from the City court side and replaced by Iain Wallace. More service errors mixed with some spectacular defence on the City side seemed to sum up the performance. Mets pounded away until they ran over the top of an unenthused City side and whilst Watt played extremely well there was nothing more that could be done. 25-18 City look to secure their current place in the league and make the play offs by winning their remaining two matches against Su Ragazzi and Fife respectively.
It was derby day once again for City of Edinburgh as the league title race reaches fever pitch! NUVOC are looking to be back to some great form after narrowly losing out to Su Ragazzi last weekend but are in desperate need of a win in their fight to stay in the NL1. It was time to lay all the cards on the table for this one and do battle! NUVOC fielded some new editions from their squad and the City knew this was going to be a very tough match!
The second set saw a complete role reversal and Edinburgh hitting some great attacks from all ares of the court. Watt was inspirational and Macnab a scoring machine down the line. 16-25 The third set saw NUVOC take another nice lead and looked to be running away with the set. City looked to be running out of energy and ideas until McGuigan fired some heat back into their play. A very vocal time out saw the City boys come out fighting once more. Scrambling for everything, Traylor and Hammond scoring from all angles, the City clinched a very important win with some terrific momentum to help score point after point. Once again the City passing unit stand firm, now in the fourth set, as the serves came thick and fast from the NUVOC boys. Wallace and Greivink both made huge stuff blocks on their opposite numbers and the frustration shone through from the other side of court. This game was now only going one way 19-25. A big well done to City of Edinburgh II who made it two wins in row this weekend by taking down the league leaders last weekend and shooting down the Edinburgh Jets today! The grass roots are sticking their necks out at City and long may the growing success continue!
City of Edinburgh have never beaten Kilmarnock away from home before and many teams find overcoming the 'orange machine' on their home soil a very tough nut to crack! The City were looking forfeit straight in the face on the Wednesday before the match with three players unable to play. Being resourceful is one way to describe what happened next. City recruited ex GB international Jonny Herley and Glasgow University middle blocker Ian Leslie who turned out and did a fantastic job at such short notice.
After a shake up during the time out things started to click together with McGuigan holding down a very strong passing game and MacNab putting away some clever shots off the Kilmarnock block. 21-25 The City looked like things were begginning to gel for them but after a great run of serves from the Killi boys the City found themselves four points down. Herley began to show his quality cutting shots round and off the top off the block and saw a very tight finish to the third set that saw City come out on top. 23-25 Killi once again took a nice lead in the fourth set even though but spectators surrounding the court were begginning to believe an upset could happen here. Traylor came on to a game throughout this set but it arrived just too late as Kilmarnock pulled through to take the set with some cracking middle attacks from Mitchell and Edger. 25-21 The final set was a tough one to handle as the City held on to a lead throughout and then pushed for the win. Unfortunately after having two match points the Killi boys scrambled like crazy and the City couldn't close the match out. The experience shone through and Killi snatched the win to the delight of their players. 17-15
A lot of hard work goes into playing volleyball at a top level and when players reap the rewards its important to recognise this. A very well done to City of Edinburgh II players for earning caps at the Under 19 International at Christmas. The guys put on a great performance against a very powerful GB Lions squad. Well done guys and keep up the hard work! Elsewhere Stuart Parker, Colin MacNab, Barry McGuigan and Boudewijn Grievink triumphed in the Scottish University League by finishing in top spot! The City players helped Edinburgh University win their third league title in successive seasons and now progress to challenge for the BUSA title.
Dundee were looking to take advantage of the Scottish Cup home tie to City of Edinburgh today. City have only dropped one set to Dundee in five matches! Today was to be the sixth time these two teams have met this season!! City were determined to keep their impressive record against Dundee in tact. The first set was a close one that was anything but pretty. Dundee came at City with of plenty of fire power as usual. Unable to string their serves together both sides hampered their chances of taking an early lead until uncharacteristic errors from McGuigan in the passing unit saw Dundee clinch it. 27-25
The third set was all about the City middle boys. Wallace and Greivink put the shutters up after a poor start to the set from City. As Dundee threw everything they had at the City, McGuigan made the pick ups when needed and helped squeeze the Burgh back into the set that looked lost at one stage. Watt ran the show spraying sets from some untidy play to the City outside men who seemed to show no fear and scored from some difficult positions. 23-25 Some luck played its part in the fourth set that saw City take a nice lead from Hammonds serve but it was level pegging again for most of the way. City made their noise and scrapped to win the set, even though Collins and Krawczyk were now pounding the ball passed the City block at times. The defence held up and MacNab finished the match with a clever hit down the line. 23-25 Another week another win that sees the City in the Semi Finals of the Scottish Cup!! The City travel to Champions Kilmarnock next week with a weakened unit but will throw everything they have at the Orange Machine in their quest to make the playoffs!
With this weekends game at home to Dundee in the Fortress. The City were clear favourites having only dropped just one set to the team from the North in the last four matches! The City did not let those down who had come along to support. A great start saw the City side race off to a 4-0 lead. Hammond and Traylor once again sliced open the Dundee defence with some of their trade mark hitting of the season so far. Watt had magic in his fingers and continued to deliver sets with accuracy on demand. 25-21
The City side almost looked too comfortable going into the second set and some sloppy play from all areas in the City camp saw Dundee take a commanding stride out infront. After some stern words the City side took hold of the reigns once more and began to claw their way back into the match. MacNab proving his worth as an outside hitter and some big hits from the Dundee players the second set was anyones. Some wild play from Dundee saw them lose out. 30-28 The third set was full of emotion as Dundee desperately tried to hold on to the match and saw them make service errors at critical points. The City block was untidy but some great touches in defence made up for the gaps which were capitalised by Hunter and Grievink. Some controversial decisions all added to the hype as this match came to a close but finally finished 25-22! The 3-0 win sees the City still sitting strong behind Kilmarnock at the top of the table. City of Edinburgh II also proved too strong for visiting opposition Lenzie! The City lads welcomed the return of experienced player Andrew MacNab, who added much needed strength that allowed the side to punch above their weight. It was a five set thriller that saw the City eventually cruise home in the final set after a punishing serve block game, combined with some great hitting from McCashey and McHardy. 3-2
After losing just one league match and one cup final in the first half of the season. The City opened the second half of the season with a packed house at the Ferry Fortress. Glasgow Mets, who had beaten City in the TTC Final in December were out to pick up some vital league points.
Mets came out the blocks first in the opening set and dictated the pace of the match. Coupled with errors from all areas of the City court the first set did not take long. There were signs of the City players getting into a groove at the end of the first set but it was all too late to save. 17-25 After the teams came out for the second set the City had been given new tactics and seemed completely unphased by the first set loss. McGuigan came on to a passing game that allowed Watt to use all his hitters to great effect. Traylor began to power his way passed the Mets block that helped snatch the second set 25-20. The mood in the hall had now changed as the City players were now in very high spirits. Now in the third, the crowd were making some noise and chanting along which inspired another great performance that saw some great serving from Hammond and some magnificent stuff blocks from MacNab. Mets were running out of ideas. 25-19 The fourth set which clinched the match for the City is what volleyball is all about. Cracking hits from all areas of the court, shut out blocks, some great pick ups and the noise from a very enthusiastic crowd, which was deafening at times. There was now no way through for Mets as Wallace and Hunter sealed the gaps with Watt. (Who would have thought Watt could do the robot?) 25-18. 3-1 the City!! A big thank you to everyone who turned up to support the City today. The noise level was fantastic and acted as the 8th man in the winning set. I hope you will all keep coming back to watch this amazing sport and support City of Edinburgh Volleyball
Finishing this half of the season in second position with a match in hand and reaching the finals of the TTC is a great achievement. From fighting relegation at the end of last season to where we are now is something every City player can be proud of. I emulate the voices of every City player when I say I am proud to be part of this club fighting for each other and every point in every match. May your injuries heal so long may this continue! Have a great holiday
Playing two matches in one day is never easy but when its a semi final and final of a cup, playing against two of the top teams in the country. Not to mention the introduction of the new Mikasa regulation volleyball that no City player had touched before..now thats a challenge! The City faced Glasgow Su Ragazzi in their semi final match and sparks were expected to fly following the publicity from the teams clash with one another two weeks ago. The City players unphased by recent newspaper articles continued to play great volleyball, even with a passing unit that seemed to be struggling with the flight of the new ball. Hammond who has been outstanding this half of the season, surpassed what I have seen to be his best in years and was an unstoppable force. Mixing power plays with clever drop shots that the Su players never really cottoned on to. The City triumphed once again over the Ragazzi side, looking more dominant than ever before. 3-0 City!! Glasgow Mets had overcome Dundee in their semi final and the teams would now wait four hours to play the final to decide the Top Teams Cup Winners! It was evident from the warm up that Mets had a little more energy stepping into this match. They pounded ball after ball from all angles in the hitting warm up, which woke up the dedicated crowd that looked on. Mets were faster out of the blocks in the first set with Alan K distributing sets to his middle players perfectly. The City could not compete with this in the opening set. 18-25 The second set saw the City spring to life and was a complete role reversal as Watt found Traylor and MacNab pounding the Mets line over and over. Hunter and Wallace coming into the game through the middle to put some pressure on the opposition 25-15 The match went on for 2 hours and became more of an endurance event towards the end but the players on both sides remained focused and powerful, creating a great sporting spectacle! The remaining sets were tight and really each set could have gone either way but in the end Mets just clinched it, much to the disappointment of the City players! 25-23, 27-29, 16-18 see the pictures http://www.scottishvolleyball.org/gallery/2008
The City players knew today was a day that some real headway could be made in the NL1. A win over Su Ragazzi, which has not been done in years, would allow City of Edinburgh to jump to third place in the league, but still with a game in hand! The City came out the blocks like a shot, sparking the emphatic celebrations mirrored by the Chinese National Team. McGuigan set the tone with the first hit and the City never looked back 21-25.
This was a match full of excitement and passion. A match the City side never wanted to lose! So even when the City looked like they were to lose the second set, there was some real grit shown by all that fought their way back from 20-17 down to take the second set 24-26! With two sets on the score sheet for the City the Glasgow coach hurled abuse at a City player for the 'Chinese like' celebrations. So of course more celebrations were had! Su came out fighting in the third set and with some focus lost by the City players. Ally Galloway was proving very difficult to stop and Su were beginning to look a little more comfortable 25-19. The final set saw the City hitting well, making blocks at crucial times and some great defence, to which Ben Hunter can testify! The stats that Colin MacNab must have tallied was tremendous and Traylor and Hammond were unstoppable. Im very happy the winning point fell to Gavin Watt in the final set as no one deserved that feeling more as the City players swamped him in celebration 23-25. The City win 1-3!! "Our celebrations are similar to that of the Chinese National Team, which help to promote energy within our squad. We never direct any celebration through the net nor with any intention to offend or disrespect any other player. No official has ever complained and I don't see a reason why they would, if its accepted in Olympic competition. We are enjoying our volleyball at the moment and choose to express our success in this manner" City of Edinburgh I statement
The City of Edinburgh Academy demonstrated some real strength this weekend by taking the Glasgow Youth Tournament by storm. The City took at least eight teams to compete in the S2/3 divisions and triumphed in both the girls and boys leagues. Producing some fantastic volleyball both winning teams from the City went undefeated! Well done everyone!
The City of Edinburgh teams pulled off some impressive performances at the weekend to overcome Dundee and Fife VC in the 2008 Dynamo Cup. The teams are becoming a real unit and showed some real grit and determination throughout the weekend. Click here to read more!
Sunday, 28/10/07
Picture above: The Echline Baby Volley group of City of Edinburgh Volleyball!! Why are they all smiling? Anyone would think they had just been given their new City of Edinburgh Volleyball t-shirts!!
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The City knew Ragazzi would come out all guns blazing in what could potentially be the final set. This prediction held to the truth as Alistair Galloway stamped his authority on the match propelling Ragazzi to a six point lead. Galloway was nothing short of a hitting machine that the City couldn’t seem to get a hold of. The City battled, scrambled and hit their way back into the set with some lengthy rallies that sometimes seemed like they would never end. Traylor, Macnab and Hammond were outstanding in their aggressive but clever approach to clawing back the set for the City and almost pushed themselves over the finish line. Both sides had their opportunities to win the fourth set on numerous occasions, much to the screams of excitement from the City crowd, but it was Ragazzi that came out on top. 31-33 This game was going right to the wire! (Photo - FIVB)
After losing 3-1 away from home yesterday in the 1st leg of the 3rd and 4th playoffs. Su Ragazzi looked to have finally broken the hold City have had over them all season. A strong serving game from Ragazzi could not be matched by the City who still did not seem to be back to true form. Powerful middle attacks and a formidable Alistair Galloway meant the Glasgow side secured the first leg with a home win! (pic - teamusa)
Edinburgh Winners - Rhys Arthur, Michael Lee, Jordan Ramsay, Callum Williamson
After losing the critical home tie City really needed to up their game in Glasgow if their title hopes were to stay alive! Whilst showing some signs of snatching the match a fantastic block defence display from Mets put an end to the City hopes! (pic usa block-sacabee)
From the outset it was clear that the City were trying to hide their weaknesses but a demonstration of power and accuracy from the service line from all the City players diminished these flaws. Fife simply couldnt deal with the service pressure and began to fold. 20-25 (pic-FIVB)
The second set was an outstanding display of setting from Gavin Watt. The speed and accuracy of delivery, mixed with some flamboyance, devastated the Ragazzi defence. Hunter had some superb strings of points which was great to see his hitting and blocking having such great effect on the Glasgow champs. 25-17 (Photo - FIVB) 
The 3rd set was more comfortable for the City as they began to finally settle into this match. The block defence solidified and the passing allowed Watt to stretch Troon beyond help, allowing Traylor and MacNab to pound the gaps. 14-25 (Photo - FIVB)
Picture -FIVB
NUVOC opened the first set with punishing middle plays that City didn't know how to deal with. Combined with the lack of service pressure from City players, the jinky little Polish setter ran a well oiled attack that closed out the set in a comfortable manner 25-20 (Picture - FIVB)
The first set saw City take a bit of a beating 25-16 with the two new additions to the starting line and other City players looking slightly out of sorts. You have to be top of your game when playing the league champions or they will happily punish you at every opportunity! (pictured Jonny Herley for GB)
From left - Sean McCashey, Jamie McHardy & Stuart Parker 
The second set saw Edinburgh cut out their errors, McGuigan and Watt establish a link and put together what was a clinical set of volleyball. Watt made it easy for Traylor, Hammond and MacNab to power holes into the Dundee defence. 15-25 (image -FIVB)
Image- FIVB
Picture - FIVB
Picture - FIVB
The 2007-2008 City of Edinburgh Girls U16 JNL team with their coach Gavin Watt
