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Quartz Quality on Display

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Strood Foundation 1 vs 4 – MVC Quartz

The 15th of September 2024 saw MVC’s first club game, for the Quartz team in the KCVA Official Foundation League.

The league is designed as a way to get people into playing competitively, and is often seen as a stepping stone between beginners and the more formal leagues. With the current amount of demand though, it is often more than just a friendly league, with players looking to impress and learn, whilst of course having fun.

The venue, Thinking Fitness at Holcombe school in Chatham is Strood’s new home for a few seasons now. Plenty of free on site parking, easy to access. But, comes with the “Beam of Death”. A ceiling support beam that looms over one end of the court like a dark cloud on a sunny day at the park…. beware the beam!!!!

The Quartz team was made up of 7 players (with a cameo sub from our very on own Onyx team and last seasons impressive Quartz coach Ben).

  • Jorden (Captain)
  • Charlie (MVP)
  • Brenden
  • Jonathon
  • Milly
  • Callum
  • Ben

Jorden, Charlie and Callum competed last year for Quartz, and are looking to move into Onyx this season, but for the others, this was their first ever indoor structured game, with only a few weeks of training under them.

Lewis was coaching this mixed team and decided to run a very simple rotational setting system formation, as opposed to Strood who seemed to be running a 5-1 rotation mainly.

Set 1

Quartz won the toss, and elected to serve first, with Strood choosing ends, so as not to have the “beam of death” on their side.

Callum playing in shirt 22 lead the serving, and it was first point to MVC! The scores were quite even through the first rotation of serves, as players were adjusting to the game and finding their feet. After both teams had served, scores were sitting at 9-7 in MVC favour.

Quartz managed to always stay in the lead, with some exception pick-ups by Jorden leading the way for the rest of the team to follow.

A similar approach for the rest of the set ensued, with the final score being after a tie break, 26-24 to Quartz.

Set 2

Set 2 saw Quartz on the preferred end with more clearance, and the exact same starting rotation as the 1st set. Strood were lead the serving this time, but the momentum from the set, Quartz managed to get he first point again.

With some very consistent serving from Milly, Quartz managed to get a 2 point lead, and extended again on the second round of serving.

Strood maintained within reach, with some exceptional play, but unlike the 1st set, they were unable to bring the scores to within the 2 points required for the last few servers, with a more confident set win of 25-21 to Quartz.

Set 3

Set 3, match set potentially, and the beam of death… this was nothing the Quartz team, as by the time all players had finished the first of serving, Quartz were leading Strood 10-5.

That is when experience was needed for Strood, and with a cool head and encouragement, Paula ‘Pops’ was the first sub of the day, managing to bring Strood back up to within 2 points.

The scores were now at 11-9 in Quartz favour, meaning Quartz had scored only 1 point while Strood scored 4.

Quartz were forced to make substitution at 15-11

This momentum swing for Strood saw them keep on track, catch and draw level at 24-24. A great effort from Strood number 48 in the set especially, never giving up helping Strood to cement the lead. Quartz fought hard to get to a lead of 25-24, but Strood took the next 3 points, including two very good serves from their number 73, and they managed to take the 3rd set 27-25.

Set 4

So, the home team now had the momentum advantage, and had perhaps seen what they needed to do to turn things around, hoping for a 5 set victory.

The pre-set team talk for Quartz was based around them believing, and showing what they can do. Well, the whole team took note, with a standout pass, set and immense spike from Brenden, that took everyone by surprise!

As they had done every set, Quartz took the first point from Strood serve, neutralising the momentum Strood took from the previous set.

Score remained close for the next 3 servers, as they had done the whole game. But then came Charlie, fresh from resting his back with some great service pressure, helping Quartz take a 5 point lead for the second time in the match. Strood Paula again helped to bring scores closer, reducing to 2 point deficit for the team in red.

Then another forced substitution was need for Quartz, with Milly pushing hard to defend at the net and landing awkwardly, Lewis did not want to risk further injury, and substituted Ben back on for the second time.

Ben does play in KCVA Div 1 Men’s competition, so was instructed with the task of playing controlled, show casing his passing & team work abilities above the potential for blocking and spiking.

Led by the ever present and resourceful captain Jorden – and the growing confidence and skills of Brenden and Jonathon – Quartz managed to bring them selves 5 points clear again at 20-15, which triggered the time out from Strood.

What ever Mirja – the Strood coach – said during the time out worked a treat. Strood had pulled back 5 points , again with the attacking serve from Strood number 73, with Quartz managing to side out at 23-20 in their favour.

Things looked set for another tie-break in this closely fought game, but Strood were just not able to break into the 2 point advantage Quartz had to force the issue and apply the pressure.

Quartz kept the score board ticking over for the next few servers, before finally winning the 4th set 25-21.

Conclusion

The game really showed what the Foundation league is about, with many players across both teams enjoying one of their first match experiences. There were some great rallies, some clinical serves and attacks, and some great chasing and diving to save points.

As it always is against Strood, both teams showed a great team spirit towards themselves, their opponents, and the officials who give up their time to help.

A special note to Mirja, who manged to multitask both coaching and assisting the scorer at the same time, not an easy task at all!

When asked, Quartz captain (and the Club’s Chairman and Welfare officer….) Jorden responded:

“The excitement and joy of volleyball was palpable in today’s game. Great work everyone, we can only continue to improve…”

The final scores were Quartz 3 – Strood 1 ( 26:24; 25:21, 25:27, 25:21).

After just under 2 hours of close fought volleyball, special mentioned to Strood number 48 Robert, and Quartz number 8 Charlie, who their opponents voted as the MVP (most valuable player).

Thank you to Strood for hosting, we look forward to welcoming you to our venue for the return leg.

Final Standings of 2024 Summer Volleyball Championship

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So, it took a while to get the results in, but here we have our final standings for the 2024 Maidstone Volleyball Club outdoor Summer Champs Grand Prix!

Dodging the weather with wind, sun & rain, we saw:

  • 7 events in total take place over the course of the summer.
  • 48 different players took part in the event.
  • 42 separate games took place
  • The lead changed hands multiple times and was decided on the last day
  • Callum & Rajnish held the joint top average score per event at 158 points
  • Archie, Jorden and Lewis had the highest participation
  • 1 model airplane & 1 dog had a cameo appearance
  • 3 quadzillion bugs entered towards the end…
  • 1 ankle was twisted, 1 parent was unexpectedly involved and no sunburns were reported…
  • Up to 4 courts were in use at once at many sessions.

Quite impressive stats for the inaugural event, which was only conceived at the beginning of July. Had it started when outdoors summer season first begun, we could have seen another 5 or 6 events take place! This really shows just how strong the love of volleyball is in the region right now.

Throughout the Grand Prix, we saw standout performances from many players, with everyone increasing their game. Almost all of these players are now continuing with the indoor season at MVC, adding the existing indoor players roster of talent and potential.

The format of the events, was have all players play with different people over timed games. There was no split between gender, ability or age. Often starting at 6v6 for 20 minutes, and as people arrived team split into smaller teams of 4 or 3.

At the end of each game, the teams scores were recorded. Players were then awarded these points to their tally. So if a player played 3 games, and scored 15, 26 and 23, they would have earned 64 points for them.

Teams were chosen at random, with a mixture of playing cards being used, and suggestions of random iterations of 1,2,3,4. Only the last event was structured, so that the leading players were on different teams.

After the results were in, it seems that consistency and regularity was the key. Combining a moderate average score per game, with a high attendance was the order of the day.

To ensure a high average score, it meant no matter who was on your team, the team had to perform.

Taking the bronze medal at the end of the summer for 3rd place was Archie with 847 points.

Just missing out on top spot on the last day but still getting a very good silver for 2nd place was Jorden with 872 points.

And our winner this season, was Lewis taking gold, with a total points of 914.

Next summer season promises to bring even better competition, and hopefully better prizes (our winners received a well deserved pat on the back this year…).

If any attendees have any photos of the events, please feel free to share with maidstonevolleyball@gmail.com.

Now onwards to the indoor season!

MVC Summer Champs 2024: Final Showdown Anticipation

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The 20th August saw the penultimate MVC Summer Champs event of 2024….. and another 18 players turning up to strut their volleyballing stuff on the fields of the historic Mote Park.

We saw early season leader Gareth return to form, outscoring leader board contenders Lewis and Archie. A strong net presence and back court passing saw Arnis grab the joint top spot for the event scoring 123 points. And a very spirited effort from Harper, who let no one stand in their way of also scoring the joint most points for the day!*

*Thankfully, no parental spectators were seriously hurt in the greyhound like efforts of ball chasing….

The weather looks be on the side of the brave this evening, as we see in the final event to crown our 2024 summer champs. With only 100 points between 1st and 4th position, everything is to play for, and none of the top 4 will be on the same team, so we are hoping to see theorectical fireworks.

But, Kudos today goes to Jorden, who has consistently remained among the top scorers at every event, showing that experience really does count for a lot when it comes to winning matches, through smart play, great team work, or just shear luck. He is now our a new leader, and surely is in pole position to take it over the line…

Exciting Summer Volleyball Recap: New Players, Standout Performances, and Leaderboard Tightening

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With the day bringing some very light drizzle, the early evening clouds overheard were mixed with a threat of rain and some bright sunshine shining through.

3 nets were ready, but some randomly missing net lines meant only two could be put up. The brave decision was made to alter the layout of the courts (which for anyone who chased a ball down the slope will undoubtedly agree it won’t be repeated…).

The players arrived and started warming up, and the first round teams were set.

The day saw another great turnout, maxing at 21 players. There were ‘crowds*’ all around, and even a fly-by from the Mote Park Model Plane Club!

(*crowds being 3 parents, some geese, some passers by and dog walkers…)

We saw another new player Matt come into the fold, narrowly missing out on the top 30 on the leader board, but a great start none the less.

Some standout performances to note:

  • Kenny (now the leading women’s player at 5th overall, even missing the 1st round of games) .
  • Gareth, Jorden, Phil and Sonny all managing to exceed the 130 point mark.
  • Gareth had the highest average points per game this at 21.83, but missed the final round.
  • The dog that invaded the pitch during set-up.

Our highest scorer this week though, bringing with her some regional experience and youthful energy, was Izzy. Scoring a massive 142 points today, from consistent serving and passing, and some very smart play at the net.

When notified of this achievement, she repsonded:

“Ah that’s amazing, thank you!! Had so much fun yesterday”

With only 3 more scheduled events this summer, things could still move around:

  • The top 4 all being within 55 points, a 3 point lead in each game may see the leader change hands.
  • A missed event will also see people further down the board have a chance to come back, with an average score of 117 per event…

Who will challenge Gareth after his 2nd week leading the championship?

Who will get the green highlighter to show they scored the most?

Who will trip over something and pretend it didn’t happen as they search for anyone who might have seen it?

Will the weather hold out? Join us in the park, spectators welcome 🙂

MVC Summer Champs 23/07/2024: Intense Matches and Standout Players

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With clouds looking dark, but the air feeling fresh and warm, Tuesday 23/07/2024 saw the second MVC summer Champs take place (thank you weather….). The nets were set up, the courts cleaned of sticks, and the balls were squeezed…. Round 4 is ready to begin!

A simpler format for matches this time, saw players choose a card, and for each match, cards were shuffled & dealt into team piles to determine the next team.

The club welcomed another group of players into the grand prix, and saw some returning players.

Lewis narrowly took 3rd spot 1 point ahead of Ben, Gareth put a very strong performance in getting second with 142 points, but is was Manu who managed to rack up the most points throughout with a 155 for the evening!

A few players missed the first or last games, which made quite a difference, with the average score per team per game being 22 points, but the biggest difference being 14 points in a 31-17 game, and the tightest being the very last game at 19-18, with a golden point played at the buzzer.

Let’s see who – weather permitting – can make some moves as we head into the next round…..