IN A SEASON of flawless dominance, the Jersey Volleyball Ladies have once again proven unstoppable, clinching back-to-back Hampshire Division 1 titles this Sunday and qualifying for the South East Volleyball Association (SEVA) finals.
Last year, the team reached the SEVA semi-finals, and with their current form, they look ready to push even further. The 2026 finals are scheduled to take place in Ashcombe, Dorking on May 16.
Jersey completed the league campaign on Sunday with four consecutive wins to seal the title, finishing undefeated in all ten matches and remarkably not dropping a single set.
At the heart of this triumph is the squad’s cohesion.
Drawn from a dedicated group of 15 players who train relentlessly, the team has become an unshakable unit.
“We’re one big team that trusts each other completely,” said captain Andreea Gabriela. “Everyone brings something unique to the table—different strengths that mesh perfectly—and that’s what made this season so special. Our synergy turned every match into a masterclass, with players supporting one another seamlessly on and off the court.”
Game one on the day saw Jersey face a decent Winchester Ladies side, however the islanders made light work and got their day off to the perfect start with a straight sets win 25-22, 25-19.
Game two saw a much more straight forward contest against bottom side Roke Ladies. In fine form already, Jersey trounced the first set 25-10, not relenting the pressure and claiming the second 25-11.
After a merciful break, they returned for their third game of the day against a Hits and Giggles side fresh of a win of their own. They offered decent resistance, but another dominant display saw Jersey win 25-18, 25-22.
Just one game remained for the invincible campaign and Hot Shots were the team in their way. If the nerves were there, they were well hidden. Jersey came through a tough first set 25-18 before cruising to the finish line 25-14 in the second set to make history.
Coach Deirdre de Rue highlighted the careful considerations behind team selection and the collective effort required for success.
“I guess the challenges for team selection is what the player brings to the team dynamic, have they been training well, how have they improved on certain skills over the training, can they easily put this into their game,” she said.
“Being able to rely on each other is key for any team. We have worked hard on identifying responsibilities within the team and utilising our strengths in areas of play such as serving and receiving.”
The squad’s success is also attributed to the focused drive to refine tactics and elevate skills under de Rue’s guidance. “Next up is the South East Regional Finals in May,” she added. “This will be a test for the team as there is a round-robin stage with games on a timed basis to qualify for the semi-finals, a change of venue and a different strategy for the games.
“We will be training hard for this event in the coming months focusing on our strengths and teamwork to achieve the goal of winning this prestigious tournament.”
A season highlight was the debut league campaign of Millie Moscardini, who impressed with her rapid development and ability to blend seamlessly into the squad. “It is amazing and a pleasure to be a part of this team and celebrate success after success,” said Moscardini. “It is a proud moment for all of us.”
Gabriela also paid tribute to the coaching team, adding: “Deirdre [de Rue] has poured amazing time and effort into aligning the team, with invaluable help from her son Chris. Together, they’ve instilled a shared vision that propelled the squad forward.”
With the Hampshire League title secured, the Jersey Volleyball Ladies now turn their attention to the SEVA finals on May 16, determined to convert their league dominance into regional glory.
If this season is anything to go by, they are more than ready for the challenge.
The JVA Ladies would also like to thank Butterfield for their continued support.
Results
Jersey 2-0 Winchester Ladies
(25-22 / 25-19)
Jersey 2-0 Roke Ladies
(25-10 / 25-11)
Jersey 2-0 Hits and Giggles
(25-18 / 25-22)
Jersey 2-0 Hot Shots
(25-18 / 25-14)
JVA Ladies: Andreea Gabriela (c), Kaja Jankowska, Kiera Melville, Izabela Gawlicka, Beth Bell, Ania Rowsell, Renata Freitas, Micaela Camara, Bénédicte Guinard, Marilyn Nyaradzo Muzira, Tendai Mupundu, Millie Moscardini
Hampshire Division 1
