It was a traditional Student Wednesday game for the MM@TN at St. Andrews University. The opponents were Glasgow University, where a home win would all but confirm St.Andrews as Scottish Universities champions.
The club boasts three teams that compete in the BUCS league, 2 women’s and 1 male and has an overall membership of around 60 students. When the student indoor season comes to a close the club links inn with St.Andrews Beach volleyball Club and takes their skills to the sands.
The club have entered the Scottish Cup for the first time this century and both men’s and women’s teams have performed well, reaching the Quarter-final stage without losing a game.However, the hope is to develop their recreational level over the next few years but as many clubs do, struggle for the capacity to accommodate this wish.
SAUVC are very active on the non-playing front the club is sending out 6 players to Zambia as part of an outreach programme to help coach volleyball and hopefully take over some volleyball equipment. This project aims to inspire leadership, teamwork, and personal development through sport. Please click on this link to find out more.
Before the match took place we took the time to meet together, the club, myself, Women’s Coach Shelly Paterson and Student Sport Development Manager, Pete Burgeon. It was great to discuss future plans for the club beyond the natural four-year cycle of students.
The game was also preceded by the presentation of the student volunteer of the year to St.Andrews’ Maureen MacIsaac. This award was given to Maureen for her outstanding dedication and commitment during the 2011-12 season. More on Maureen’s award can be found here.
You can view Highlights of the game here and the photo gallery from the match here.
The match did not start as planned for the home side as a vocal Glasgow side took a 4-0 lead. Both teams managed to establish the middle early and there was never much between the sides for the mid-part of the set.
New Glasgow University coach John Hollis called a time-out after a run of four points went against them. The time-out had the desired effect, Laima Andrewjevalte with two kills from the outside to bring Glasgow back in front.
St.Andrews setter Indre Semogas was starting to run the show with two consecutive 2nd ball attacks and St.Andrews battled to take the first set 25-22.
The 2nd set continue in similar frantic fashion with both teams going point to point as they drew level at 12-12, 14-14 and 16-16. Two kills and great defensive play from St.Andrews’ captain Hannah Berwain gave them a 4 point lead before Berwain aced her serve to win the set 25-19.
Saints’ Coach Shelly Paterson made one change for the 3rd set with Camilla Finco replacing Emma Fox on the outside. Glasgow remained unchanged.
Despite great defence from Glasgow Captain Kim McLaren and libero Ashley Hughes the power from Saints’ outside hitters was too much as the host took a 7-1 lead. Glasgow continued to fight and despite St.Andrews introducing club president Charlotte Daman Williams, the visitors reduced the gap to just a single point, 8-9.
Defence became the key to the game as long rallies dominated the mid-section of the set and it was Glasgow’s defence that had the edge as Andrewjevalte turned the defence into points and Glasgow took the set.
St.Andrews came out fighting in the fourth set as great blocking from Madeline Chambers gave Saints a 3 point lead. They kept the momentum and errors crept into Glasgow’s game as they became frustrated at not being able to convert the opportunities into points.
St.Andrews women ran out 25-14 winners and secured a 3-1 victory in a very intense and absorbing match.
Find out more about St.Andrews University Volleyball Club via their website or facebook or by contacting the Scottish volleyball Association on 0131 556 4633