Su Ragazzi V Troon P&A…..the final four points


A whole season of work, and sacrifice, effort and practice came down to the last weekend, the last two matches, the very last set, and finally four points.

Saturday 12th April, leg one of the final play off matches, Troon vs Su Ragazzi at Prestwick Academy. Troon played at home first because of the regular season matches which saw them finish in second place, beaten only by Su Ragazzi. Troon won the match 3 – 0 because they were the better team, and they fought harder for it. They finished with a three sets to zero win, and a 18 point advantage.
 
Su Ragazzi had underperformed so badly it was hard to see how they could recover at all for the Sunday, and thoughts of winning a set, never mind a match were stretching the imagination. The reality was that they not only had to win the match, it had to be 3 – 0 and there had to be a better than 18 point differential – quite simply, too big an ‘Ask.’
 
Sunday 13th April, the final match in the final series. The venue was Coltness High School. The sun was shining brightly, it lit and warmed the gym. There was a big anxious and expectant crowd to welcome the players, none of whom looked nervous. The warm up went pretty much as warm ups go. The teams spiked with discipline, and served with purpose, and then match referee Barney McDougal cleared the court.

Our huddle was full was smiles, full of ‘air punching fists’ then Troon raced into a three points to zero lead as soon as the match started. The play was fast and tense, the gym was loud and nervous, and overall it was engrossing.

The teams have a contrast in their playing styles, and their approach to the game, and for the volleyball purist it was a fascinating encounter. Troon needed to win one set to win the Championship – but it wasn’t to be the first set! Su Ragazzi won 25 – 16 capturing valuable points to close the differential.
Su-ette Captain Lynne Beattie

The second set started like the first – both teams working to maximum, both teams striving for success. Troon forced the play and isolated the Su Ragazzi Captain Lynne Beattie out at zone four, with a towering two-girl block, and a supporting defence. Troon’s defensive qualities are renowned, and the basis for their success the day before. The set at this point was hanging in the balance…..

Lynne Beattie soared into the air and played a simply magnificent cut shot into the unobtainable space in Troon’s zone four, and as the ball smacked of the floor there was such belief on our side of the net.

Troon needed just one set to win the Championship, but it wasn’t to be the second. Su Ragazzi won it 25 – 16 and the points gap was closed.



 
The National Championship came down to the third set of the final match – either way it would be decided at the end of it. It was nerve jangling stuff. Lyn Edwards the Suette setter ran her ‘Plan A’ offence and teased the Troon blockers. Elaine Krawczyk her Troon counterpart had to make several dig sets, but she did it with accuracy and the Troon outside hitters were scoring consistently. Lynne Beattie and Laura McReady for the home team played some fantastic defence, Gillian Lyle for the visitors stood at the base line and served tough.
 
Anna Martinez finally got free of the block to score priceless hits for the Suettes, and Jenni Krawczyk threw herself all over the floor in pursuit of the ball, never giving up. Claire McGhee ignored the ankle injury picked up the week before, and Lindsay Coburn stuck to her guns to score consistently through the middle, while Sandra Grubb leaped off the bench to nail her serves…..and the play raged!

The two teams matched scores all the way up to the twenty point mark, and the tension in the gym was almost unbearable. Troon needed just one set to win, but it wasn’t to be the third set. Su Ragazzi won it 25 – 20. They earned their three sets to zero victory and turned the 18 point deficit into a five point winning margin.

At the end of the match there was such a contrast in the two camps, and it was not possible not to feel a measure of respect and sympathy for the Troon players and their efforts – but it is elite sport and there has to be a winner, and a loser.
 
 
The Suettes had put on a demonstration of power volleyball which deserved the prize. It was a great advert for Scottish Volleyball, and for women’s sport. It will become the stuff of legend, in the fullness of time. The last match, the last set, and the final four points.Congratulations to Su Ragazzi.
Scottish National Champions, season 2007 – 08.

Well done girls!

John French
Head Coach
 
 

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Photographs courtesy of Lynne Marshall and Michael McConville

 

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