Little to separate volleyball finalists

Defying Gravity will take on Uso in the final of Marlborough Volleyball’s Fairweathers’ Senior Spring League on Thursday.

In the final night of round robin play last Thursday at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000, Defying Gravity notched a 3-0 win over Tree Fellas and head into the finals level on points with Uso who were unable to field a full team against Dank Lords, being forced to default. Both finalists are level on points which should make for an entertaining decider.

Having only three players on Thursday did not deter Uso, who had Afa Lauvai in top form. They managed to beat Dank Lords in an entertaining encounter, but had to concede the competition points.

Strong hitting from Hunter Nicholls and great defence by their whole roster helped Defying Gravity take the first set 25-22 over Treefellas. Olivia Nicholls and Emilio Dell-Yaxley put on a serving clinic in the second set with runs of eight and seven points respectively, allowing Defying Gravity to cruise to an easy 25-10 win. Tough serving again from Defying Gravity in the third set got them the hat trick 25-15, although Seini Manoa replied with some great serves for Treefellas and Jack Pope got in a few nice hits.

The final encounter of the evening was between Cri Clovers and Fairweathers with solid serving from the latter giving them an easy first set win, 25-14. Both Cri Clovers’ Jordan Peipi and Fairweathers’ Emma Gardiner served well in the second set but, with Stefan and Hunter Nicholls blocking well, Fairweathers prevailed 25-15. They then ran away with the last set through all round consistent play, winning 25-8.

Just a single point separates the teams who will contest the third and fourth playoff, Fairweathers and Dank Lords, making for another tight match. Treefellas and Cri Clovers are also even on the points board at five each, suggesting a highly-competitive finals night is in prospect.

In B grade, The Avengers have a new challenger this term, with the Marlborough Madness Masters team meeting them in the final. These two teams played each other last week with Madness just taking the game in the last set, 17-15.

In the Winery/Business House grade experienced teams Mayfield Motorworld and Indevin will go head to head on Thursday, both sitting on 16 points.

Marlborough Volleyball will be running their popular Triples on Thursday, September 28, to finish off the year. Teams are required to register this Thursday.