News
10/10/08: Start of Season Social!
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A Night of Skittles and Ales
Friday 10th October, 8pm
The Duke of York pub, Bristol
Contact Dink for more information
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05/10/08: BVC Ladies 2 Win First Match Of Season
Sunday saw the very first game for BVC's -newly created- 2nd ladies team in the Gloucester League.
The team arrived early at the game and all (including the new coach) were quite excited at the idea of playing their first game.
After a good warm up, BVC showed a solid start to the 1st set with strong serves from Alex Alonzi. However, the opposition (Cheltenham Ladies) had a consistent defence but this was not enough and BVC won the 1st set 25-22.
The second set was similar to the firt one, but a few mistakes from Bristol made the difference and Cheltenham won the 2nd set with difficulty 25-23.
Third set, Bristol ladies somehow started to be nervous, everybody was tense and the passes lost accuracy. Trailing 13-4, every player had their head down… However, BVC showed a strong mental attitude and started with basics, played clean and low-risks balls and managed slowly to regain confidence. Karen Thatcher made extra efforts to transform every pass into a good set (she was voted “player of the match”). Then, BVC started to play harder and harder and caught up to 23-23. Unfortunately, two unlucky shots and Cheltenham won 25-23.
But the great come back gave BVC wings, a strong team spirit also helped them to fight hard to win the 4th set 25-23.
The fifth set was really good, strong serves, strong hits and some massive blocks from Hanna Wickberg gave them a good lead. Cheltenham tried everything and caught up a bit but it was too late. BVC won 15-11!!
It was a great and tense game. BVC players showed a good mental and very good team spirit. They fought hard and gave everything they had, which was well rewarded. Cheltenham were a strong side, so it is a great achievement for BVC and very promising start of the season.
Well done to all the girls!
BVC Ladies 2 3 - 2 Cheltenham Ladies (25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11)
Anthony Choukroun (coach)
18/09/08: 2008/09 Season Outlook
After a landmark season for the club last year, the new season has been underway for a couple of weeks and things are already starting to look bright.
Over the summer the club has made a few changes that will hopefully further increase its success. There is a new coach for the Tuesday session, who will be bringing new ideas to developing people's basic skills. There will also be two separate ladies teams (South West League and Gloucester League) each with its own separate training session, as well as the men moving to a new, bigger venue to accomodate an additional mens team.
There are plenty of new members too, both beginners and experienced players, taking the club membership to over 60!
Hopefully this will be the start of another successful season for BVC, with the club seeing further improvements in all areas. There is certainly plenty to look forward to, including the first matches of the season, and the start of season social.
Chris Beer (chairman)
07/06/08: 2008 Wick Tournament A Great Success
Visit the Wick section of our website for more details.
14/05/08: BVC Ladies Finish 2nd in South West League
Contratulations to Bristol ladies, who ended their season an impressive 2nd in the South West league. This is even more of an achievement when you consider it was virtually a new team at the start of the season, and the team that finished above them (Plymouth 1) also play in National Division 2. As coach I am expecting good things next year!
Chris Beer (coach)
25/03/08: BVC Ladies Flying High In South West League
We are now nearing the end of the 2007/08 season, and what a season it has been for the Bristol Ladies.
The team was pretty much new at the start of the season, with many new players joining the club, so their league position is a credit to the girls for working hard at training and quickly gelling as a team.
So far they have only lost their first game (due to only having 2 weeks preparation time) and to Plymouth 1, putting them technically in 2nd place. So as coach, I am really pleased!
Although winning the league looks to have passed us by this season, things are looking good for next year, and with a few new additions to the team coming soon, hopefully we will be mounting a serious challenge against Plymouth for the title!
Chris Beer (coach)
25/01/08: BVC Social - A tour of the Bristol Beer Factory!
Next BVC social is being organised by the BVC Men's team.
This social will consist of a tour of the Bristol Beer Factory (including plenty of drinks!).
Put this event in your diaries and prepare well (eat!).
This social is organised by Men's team and for all club members, so please feel free to come along!!!
For a map and and poster please go to members area :)
05/09/07: Encouraging Start To The Season
After the first indoor training session of the 07/08 season, things are looking extremely positive for the coming months. The session was open to all and over 40 players turned out, ranging from beginners to National League standard.
All of the club's coaches were on hand to talk to players and start forming the club's four teams. In particular, the ladies team is looking strong this season, with a number of new recruites coming in over the summer - so we are looking forward to making a good challenge for the South West League title!
After a fun session, considering the numbers, the obligatory pint was enjoyed at the Alma Tavern.
03/06/07: BVC Host 2nd Annual Wick Tournament
Report to follow
Final Rankings:
1. Speedwell
2. Covert Ops
3. Pirates
4. Filton Phoenix
5. Startled Moose
6. Sandford
7. Bemi
8. Nomads
9. Horfield Hornets
10. Also Ran-domolos
20/05/07: BVC Men win GVA Cup
Bristol won the Men’s Cup final 3-1 against Stroud I. Bristol shot into an early 6-0 lead in the first set, but Stroud were able to even it up at 11-all. From that point the lead changed hands a number of times, until a decisive run of serves from Bristol captain Jose Ronchetti gave then the first set 25-22. Stroud had the better of the early exchanges in set two, as the Stroud setters picked out Matt Mollen and Jon Chomicz. Bristol were never able to string a run of services together, and Stroud ran out 25-21 victors. Both sides showed excellent recovery work in set three, as even the hardest and most well-placed of shots was recovered by both defences. Bristol were always in front though, and they took the set 25-19. Bristol were ruthless in set four, giving Stroud little chance as they rushed into a 24-14 lead, and to illustrate that it was not Stroud’s day, Bristol clinched the match with a mishit serve. Players of the match were Jon Chomicz and Jose Ronchetti.
Report from GVA website
18/02/07: BVC Ladies Win Again
Bristol Ladies picked up two valuable wins in their bid for a top half of the table finish.
With only 6 players BVC knew they were going to be in for a tough day, but having seen the opposition teams play eachother in the first match, the girls confidence started to grow. This led to a convincing 3-0 win over Bath.
BVC 3 – 0 Bath Aquae Sulis (scores to follow)
With Totnes being beaten 3-0 by Bath earlier in the day, BVC's second match should have been a more straight forward affair. This seemed to be the case, with the girls taking the 1st set 25-12. Complacency then started to creep in, and BVC's level of play dropped considerably, allowing Totnes to edge the second. Things started to look back on track in the 3rd, with BVC racing to a 20-3 lead - captain Jenny Dalhuijsen unleashing a string on unanswerable serves. But then the complacency crept in again and Totnes started a fightback, taking the score to 22-10, but eventually the girls ran out the set with ease. The fourth set saw BVC getting off to a slow start for a second time in the match, with Totnes taking a 16-10 lead. Wanting to avoid a tricky (and nerve wracking) 5th set, the BVC coach took the girls off for a good talking to. This seemed to do the trick with the girls immediately bringing the scores level at 16-16. Both sides then traded points, but BVC held their nerve to secure the win.
BVC 3 - 1 Totnes Space Hoppers (scores to follow)
BVC Ladies: Gill Bryan, Jenny Dalhuijsen, Mandy Foale, Vicky Goode, Hannah Maclellan, Amy Yelling
Chris Beer (coach)
26/11/06: BVC Ladies beat City of Bristol and Plymouth 2
After a disappointing start to the season, BVC Ladies hoped to make amends with wins over local rivals City of Bristol, and Plymouth 2. All three teams started the day at the bottom of the league, so everyone fancied their chances of being able to win both games and start their climb up the table.
BVC’s first match was against City of Bristol, who showed up with several of their national league players, so it looked like we might have a game on our hands. However, BVC started the more confident and raced to an early lead, taking the first set 25-11. This led to a bit of complacency in the second set, and with CoB improving their own game, BVC narrowly lost the 2nd 23-25. Both teams then started finding their game and trading points in equal measure, so it looked like the team who who could hold their nerve the longest would take the honours. In this respect BVC proved to be the strongest, coming from points down and taking the next 2 sets to win the match.
BVC 3 – 1 CoB (25–11, 23–25, 25–22, 26-24)
After seeing Plymouth being easily beaten by CoB, BVC fancied their chances of recording their second win of the season. Brimming with confidence after beating CoB earlier in the day, the ladies put on a powerful display to beat Plymouth in straight sets. The team showed good team spirit to break down an at times stubborn Plymouth defence. Supporters even witnessed an extremely rare dive, tip, and block from setter Hannah Maclellan, some of whom are still in shock today.
Lets hope that this is the start of a trend that last the rest of the season.
BVC 3 - 0 Plymouth 2 (25-16, 25-14, 25-19)
BVC Ladies: Kathrin Buchwald, Jenny Dalhuijsen, Mandy Foale, Vicky Goode, Anna Lagerdahl, Hannah Maclellan, Claire Rehm, Gaby da Silva Xavier
Chris Beer (coach)
21/08/06: Indoor training to start week beginning Mon 4th September
The evenings are drawing in, the mozzies on the Downs are at
their worst. Thank goodness it'll soon be time to go indoors for
training again.
The sessions will start as they finished last year:
Tuesdays will be an open session when all are welcome including
beginners, Wednesdays will be team training for the Women's and Men's
first teams. If you're wondering about coming or coming back, stop
wondering and come along!
The first sessions will be on Tuesday 5th September at 8pm and
Wednesday 6th of September at 7pm for the Men's team and 8:30pm for
the Women's.
13/08/06: BVC players take top honours at Gloucester
It was as windy as Beerman's arse but the Red Hot Silly Feckers took top prize at
Gloucester, winning Mixed Div 1.
Rookie of the Year - CJ Thomas was unimpressed by the weather saying
she "would rather be rowing in Cambridge".
Sandrine came out of a 2 year retirement to set peaches all weekend.
The Feckers were,
Sandrine, Charlotte, Jenny, Sam, Beerman, Fats
Niall Brennan
06/04/06: BVC Ladies win GVA Cup
(Back L-R): Jenny Dalhuijsen, Nathalie, Anna Lagerdahl, Hannah MacLellan
(Middle L-R): Kathrin Buchwald, Mandy Foale, Gill Bryan
(Front): Gabriela da Silva Xavier
Bristol had a convincing in over Glos University in the Women’s Cup Final. Bristol hadn’t been extended in the qualifying competition, and they started the final in similar form, taking the first set 25-11. The University made a spirited effort in Set Two, as their setters found hitter Marie Campbell, but Bristol were equal to the task and took the set 25-16. Bristol then breezed through the third set 25-8, captain Jenny Dalhuijsen being in commanding form.
Report from GVA website
06/04/06: BVC host its first annual tournament to celebrate its 20th anniversary
This year BVC is 20 years old. To celebrate this, the club organised a small tournament for teams from the local area. 9 teams took part in total, with each team playing eachother on the saturday, then the top 3 teams playing off to decide the overall winner on the sunday. This was a bit of an experiment as BVC had never organised anything like this before. But with tournament ubermeister Clive Stains at the Helm, it turned out to be a huge success. It was held at Wick FC's sports ground, in Wick on the outskirts of Bristol. This turned out to be the ideal tournament venue, with plenty of room of loads of volleyball courts and camping, a clubhouse on site (with the obligatory well-stocked bar), and beautiful scenery (helped by the perfect weather).
As the club was formed in the 80's, it seemed fitting to make this the theme for the whole weekend, which led to some 'interesting' costumes at the 80's-themed party on the saturday night, as well as during the games themselves. Whether some of the items were hired or really from people's actual wardrobes, we simply do not want to know!
As well as being fun, the weekend featured a good standard of volleyball, ranging from local league clubs, to teams with National League players.
As well as celebrating BVC's 20th birthday, the tournament also raised £434 for the Ability Sports Association charity. With it proving such a success, it is hoped that the Wick tournament will become a regular fixture on the volleyball calendar, with next year's being bigger and better than ever.
Final Rankings:
1. Speedwell
2= Bristol Wing Hitters
2= Bemi Bouncers
4. Covert Ops
5. Finest Young Cannibals
6. Clevedon Spoons
7. The Chill
8. Bath
9. Bristol Bandits
Report: Chris Beer
Photos: Jirka Vejrazka
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