JERSEY Men’s volleyballer’s started their second season in the Hampshire league well, recording two wins and a defeat.
Both the JVA men’s and women’s teams are stepping back into the Hampshire Volleyball Association system for their second term at that level, and it was the men who kicked off proceedings last weekend.
After an outstanding league performance last year which resulted in them topping the league and qualifying for the South East Volleyball Association [SEVA] finals, Jersey were placed in the top Division 1 of the newly structured league format.
Jersey captain Chris De Rue said: “It felt really good to be back in Hampshire and playing in the league. We were all really excited to get playing especially after last season’s performance in the league.”
Joining them were several familiar names from last season, as well as a new but all too familiar face in their Channel Island rivals, Guernsey.
The islands are used to sharing the court only on inter-insular day. However, the men welcomed the Sarnian challenge in just their first round of league action.
Travelling over on Saturday, the men were preparing for a triple header on Sunday against Aldershot VC, Polonia Hampshire and Guernsey.
It was Aldershot up first for captain Chris De Rue and his men, who proved worthy adversaries for the Islanders.
It was business as usual for the men in red, taking the opening set of their new campaign 25-21. However, Aldershot hit back with vengeance to take the second by the same scoreline.
In the deciding set, the scores were level at 15 apiece, with the winning team requiring two clear points for the win, which went the way of Jersey 17-15.
It was quite the hectic start to life in Division 1, but an excellent effort to get their first win on the board against a spirited opponent.
De Rue continued: “The first game against Aldershot was not straightforward. They’re a tricky side who we played last season, but I thought we played really well to deal with that and get the win in our first game of the campaign.”
Player/coach Ed Parslow also gave his thoughts, adding: “We were all really feeling the energy for the first game. We knew the standard would be higher than last year and that really fuelled our desire.
“The gameplay of all teams was incredible to watch and also to be a part of.
“The first game was a quirky introduction to the season, most of the returners were level-headed, and the new players were quick to shake off initial nerves.
“We had a very short warm up. Our first game was the third of the day and the transition between the games was rapid.
“Aldershot were a strong team that play a completely different style to the other teams. Although one of the shorter teams, they had a well-founded defence to pick everything up and high-paced tempo attacks.
“In the end we powered through hits and blocked incredibly well to get that win.”
Game two proved just as challenging against Polonia Hampshire, a familiar adversary from last season’s league.
This time, it was the mainlanders who struck the first blow, claiming the first set 22-25.
Jersey would hit back hard to win the second 25-18, before sealing the tie break comfortably 15-7 for their second consecutive win.
“The second game was also tough, especially going 1-0 down,” said the skipper.
“But to come back to win it 2-1 was a great display of character from us. We played some really good volleyball in that game.”
Parslow added: “The Polonia Hampshire game really was a push to get the win, but it was exhilarating to have to really earn every point.
“They had a different style of gameplay again to Aldershot, they were tall and spread their attacks.
“We also adjusted our team as well to try new things, and the emerging players did really well – it was really promising to see their progress over the last months come to fruition in a competitive environment.”
If legs were tired, the spirits were certainly up, as their final game of the day would come against the Sarnians.
Guernsey recorded a straight sets win over Southampton Academy in their first game, but fell shy to Portsmouth United VC 1 in their second game, losing 2-1 in sets.
Incredibly, the Channel Island clash was Guernsey’s third of five games across the day, and the fireworks started from the off.
The men in red claimed first blood in an extremely close first set, which went the way of the Caesareans 25-23.
However, Guernsey hit back hard in set two, taking it 20-25 to level things up and tease a deciding tie-break set.
The Sarnians proved too strong in the final set, sweeping Jersey aside to take it 15-4 and claim some early season bragging points.
Jersey fought hard all the way and will have been disappointed to concede the third game of the day after being a set up against their biggest rivals, but overall will be pleased with their first round of the new season.
De Rue commented: “The Guernsey game was disappointing in the end not to get all three points, especially as we went 1-0 up in this game.
“I felt that we were the better side throughout and they were struggling to deal with our offence. We had a chance to win it in the second set but we just didn’t take the momentum from the first.
“Guernsey are a really good team and to get a set off them and feel like we are in control shows how far we have come as a team.
“Overall, though, I think we have definitely improved as a team which, considering the level of opposition in this higher standard league, we are really happy with and we cannot wait for our next round of fixtures.”
Coach Parslow had the final say, concluding: “It was great to be back in Hampshire. It’s crazy to think how quick time has passed since we were here last season.
“The final game against Guernsey, what a game. I think we had most of the hall watching us play the game out, and the quality was top tier.
“We were close behind in the second set, but the third set was a bit of a gut punch as I missed a few opportunities and the intense games all day was taking its toll on the players, and our mentality dropped a little.
“Guernsey were able to take advantage of that and that wrapped it up, but I’m really proud of the guys for the near win, and fired up to see them play more in the next few months.
“We’ll just need to keep training and have a look into the mental perspective as well, but aside from that it’s going to be an incredible season to be a part of.”
The men’s side return to Hampshire for their second round of fixtures on 16 February, where they will face University of Hampshire 1, Roke Polonia and league leaders Salisbury Men.
Next up this weekend, however, it is the turn of the Jersey women’s squad.
JVA Men’s squad: Chris De Rue (c), Jordan Hampton, Riki Spriggs, Finn Hollick, Val Heuguet, Oren Le Marquand, Edouard Parslow, Dan Andrade, Jack Messervy
