JERSEY volleyball have completed an astonishing clean sweep of the Hampshire Volleyball Association leagues, as the women join the men by claiming their respective league titles and end the campaign as ‘Invincibles’.
Ladies player Andreea Gabriela described the weekend as “just amazing”, as her side won all three of their remaining fixtures to complete a perfect HVA Ladies league campaign.
Gabriela and co won all eight of their league fixtures, including a final-round contest with Channel Island rivals Guernsey in a repeat of the inter-insular just weeks ago.
Gabriela said: “It was just the most amazing weekend.
“Spirits were high from the off and, even though we had our toughest matches on paper, we knew we could raise our game for the moment.”
Head coach Ed Parslow added: “The atmosphere was electric. Being the last weekend of the league campaign, the hall was filled with passion and intensity.”
It was Jersey’s hardest assignment to date as they took on the other three highest ranked teams in the league.
In game one, Winchester Ladies proved a tough nut to crack. The Islanders took the first set 25-20, but were pegged back in the second, losing 16-25. A tie breaker set was required, and Jersey came through comfortably in the decider, 15-6.
Their second match came against Hits and Giggles, who entered the weekend top of the table.
However, the Caesareans swept aside their competition with ease, winning in straight sets 25-14, 25-16 to put them in total command of the league.
Guernsey were last up, and the Sarnians, chasing the top of league themselves, may still have had their inter-insular humbling in mind.
But, Jersey weathered an early storm to come through in straight sets 25-18, 25-16.
This win over their bitter rivals proved extra sweet to finish their inaugural season without a blemish.
Parslow continued: “From the first game, it was a pleasure to watch, both as a coach and a spectator.
“For us to be allowed into the league for the first time, then to rise to the top and win it was unimaginable at the start of the season.
“We were merely trying to get exposure and game time, but now we have two league champions and an unbeaten ladies team. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Gabriela added: “For us to win the league in our first season is an incredible achievement and I’m so proud of every member of this club.”
“We have won the inter-insular and the league, we couldn’t have asked for much more at the start of the season.
“We were expecting a tough battle and that’s exactly what we got. But our teamwork and communication prevailed and we were able to complete a historic unbeaten campaign.”
Parslow was heavily praised by Gabriela as a vital cog in the teams’ machine. The star player continued: “Having Ed as our coach is just incredible for us and what he has helped us achieve, especially being only 23 years old, is monumental.”
The league successes mean both Jersey’s men’s and women’s teams have qualified for the SEVA (South-East Volleyball Association) finals on the weekend of May 18-19.
The finals include the top two sides from the five leagues in the South-East region.
Jersey women will be joined by second-placed Winchester Ladies, with rivals Guernsey missing out in third by just one point.
The Caesareans will compete with the other nine teams in a knockout-style competition to decide the overall South-East Volleyball champions.
“Qualifying for the SEVA finals is beyond our wildest dreams,” Parslow concluded.
“It really does show how far Jersey Volleyball has progressed in such a short time span.
“The hard work the committee and players alike have put in has paid off and we’re all so pumped for it now.
“I believe our successes will help promote our sport in Jersey and encourage any local sponsors to want to get involved financially and aid us in continuing our journey.
“We will rest up well for the next few weeks and re-charge the batteries and will be ready to go take those finals by storm.”
Jersey Women’s Volleyball: Nicola Appleton (c), Anna Rowsell, Tendai Mupundu, Jess Cadiou, Izabela Gawlicka, Andreea Gabriela, Micaela Camara, Bénédicte Guinard. Coach: Ed Parslow
