We had a brilliant challenge tournament yesterday highlighting the strength of the link between the Scottish Student volleyball and the Scotland U20 programme. The tournament was held at Dundee University and pitted two SSS teams from the men’s programme against two Scotland U20 teams from their men’s programme. The same was repeated on the women’s side. This was a great opportunity for the SSS coaches to make the final selection for the SSS v Scot U23 select teams to be held on the Friday evening of cup final weekend. It also gave the Scotland U20 coaches a chance to see the progression the squads have made in the last year and help them with future selections.
In tandem with this a Student Volleyball Administrator Development day was hosted by SSS women’s chair, assisted by Bill Stobie, the SSS men’s chair (who also organised the tournament). After the development day, the administrators were invited to watch the final matches.
It was a win-win situation for all.
For the tournament, each SSS team played each Scot U20 team, with three full sets being played in each match. The winners of the head to head would be the group that won most matches, and then sets if tied on matches.
At the end of the day, the students took the trophy, with wins in all 8 matches, though the U20s took 4 sets out of the 24 played. Many more were quite close.
It’s very much hoped that this will become an annual event in the lead up to the SSS v Scot U23 Challenge match.
Thanks must go to Paul McPate, who organised the venue, Dundee Uni students Jimi, Lisa, Cally and Chelsea who, along with Gerry MacDonald, reffed and second reffed all matches, the coaches and assistant coaches of all the teams, Tom Rooney, Liam Cairns, Ken Fraser, Andy Sharp, Stuart Morrison and Marissa Jacobs, and Bill Stobie who organised the event. Thanks also to all the parents who assisted with getting their youngsters to the event on Mother’s Day.
We are all looking forward to Cup Final weekend and the challenge event.
Results
Men
SSS Greys beat Scot U20 Blues, 2-1, 25-20, 25-22, 23-25
SSS Reds beat Scot U20 Reds, 2-1, 25-12, 25-11, 23-25
SSS Greys beat Scot U20 Reds, 3-0, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14
SSS Reds beat Scot U20 Blues, 2-1, 25-15, 25-13, 23-25
SSS win 4-0, 9-3, 294-226
Women
SSS Alba beat Scot U20 Caledonia, 2-1, 25-10, 25-12, 24-26
SSS Caledonia beat Scot U20 Alba, 3-0, 25-17, 25-13, 25-7
SSS Caledonia beat Scot U20 Caledonia, 3-0, 25-11, 25-10, 25-12
SSS Alba beat Scot U20 Alba, 3-0, 25-19, 25-11, 25-9
SSS win 4-0, 11-1, 299-157
SSS win the trophy, 8-0, 20-4, 593-383