Haute Vallée School played host, as they welcomed their Sarnian rivals for a hotly anticipated weekend, featuring six matches across the men’s and women’s senior teams, as well as a junior men’s and junior mixed team contests.
Guernsey have traditionally held a strong grip on the Channel Island bragging rights in volleyball, but since both the men’s and women’s teams introductions into the Hampshire league system alongside the Sarnians, the gap has been dramatically bridged.
“The atmospheric buzz was palpable last weekend,” said Jersey Women’s team captain, Andreea Gabriela Gainariu.
“The whole event highlighted not only the impressive teams, but also the camaraderie and competitive spirit shared between the neighbouring teams and just how far Jersey Volleyball has come.”
Kicking off the weekend, the junior men’s team delivered a breathtaking performance, pushing Guernsey all the way to a five-set thriller before securing an outstanding 3-2 victory.
“The tension-filled game had the packed crowd on the edge of their seats,” Gainariu continued. Jersey juniors demonstrated resilience, rallying from a two-set deficit to clinch the match in the fifth set.
“With a strong Guernsey team, our juniors kept fighting to bring the victory home.
“The support from both sides’ fans was overwhelming, creating an electric atmosphere that undoubtedly bolstered our juniors.”
Moving into the afternoon, it was the turn of the hotly anticipated Women’s senior games, and the Caesareans did not disappoint.
Jersey had already bested Guernsey in the league this season, and Saturday was no different, as they ran out impressive 3-0 winners in both the B team and the A team.
The skipper added: “For the women, our teams proved dominant on the court.
“In the Ladies B match, Jersey swiftly secured a 3-0 victory, the victory seeming straightforward as the level of our ladies game was superior.
“The game was marked by high-intensity plays and skilful teamwork, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our players.”
Moving to the Women’s A game, Gainariu described: “In a stunning Women’s A showdown, we delivered another 3-0 win.
“This match was not just a test of skill, but of nerve, as Guernsey vied to take a win from us, revenging their recent loss against us in Hampshire .
“The second set was particularly intense, narrowly won by our ladies at 27-25, followed by a strong finish in the third set to seal the victory.
“It was impressive to see how well we work as a team. Everyone fights to help the team, making sure they give a good pass, a good set and finish by scoring.
“Lifting that trophy in front our home crowds was an incredible feeling. We loved how our match was filled with long rallies and drawn-out points, and it was amazing to see how the crowds and home supporters enjoyed the games.”
Following the women’s success, the men attempted to follow suit, but returned a mixed bag of results. In the Men’s B game, the torch shone bright as they landed an emphatic 3-0 win themselves to mirror the success of their female counterparts.
A strong squad was on show for the Men’s B team, allowing them to showcase the strength in depth available, as well as the hard work out in over recent months in training.
The mixed juniors and Men’s A teams faced tough battles though, with mixed juniors narrowly losing 2-3, and Men’s A succumbing 1-3 despite valiant efforts.
Men’s player and coach, Edouard Parslow, said: “The entire JVA should be incredibly proud of their efforts over the weekend, it was an incredible spectacle.
“From our perspective in the Men’s A team, it was a real tough contest. I think the match itself was closer than the scoreline suggests, they just got the better of some key moments throughout.
“But we’re catching these guys up quickly and I think they know that. Our experience in Hampshire means we’re not just playing them once a season in the inter-insular, we have the chance to test ourselves against each other more often.
“The juniors put on an amazing display as well and it was great for us all as a club to be there supporting them for their games.
“The future is bright within the club, that’s clear to see, which is a massive testament to the direction the club is going in and all the hard work going on behind the scenes to push the club and the sport forwards here in Jersey.
“We also had some of our alumni come and support us too which was amazing, the spirit of the whole organisation is just incredible and it’s such an honour to wear the Jersey shirt and represent our Island, regardless of the scorelines.
“To claim the overall inter-insular win is such a good feeling, our women were particularly brilliant, but all the teams are definitely moving in the right direction and the future is very much bright.”
Concluding a superb weekend, Gainariu noted: “Overall, as a club we emerged victorious in four out of six matches, a testament to the incredible teamwork, hard work, and determination of all the teams involved.
“The atmosphere was nothing short of exhilarating, with an expansive crowd cheering fervently for every point. It was the first time in ten years with the club where I have seen so many home supporters coming to watch our games.
“I believe the hard work of all the committee, Hampshire victories and the online push of our sport is making volleyball interesting again for Jersey.
“Guernsey, as ever, proved to be commendable opponents and gracious guests. Hosting them was a pleasure, adding a rich layer of sportsmanship and regional camaraderie to the weekend’s festivities.
“This volleyball showdown was more than just about winning; it celebrated the spirit of the game, the strength of teamwork, and the joy of competitive sports.
“Last weekend marked a triumphant chapter for our volleyball, and a memorable occasion for all the spectators who witnessed it.
“We are now getting ready for our last Hampshire trip in two weeks, with a hope to win the league and move forward to SEVA finals again.”
Jersey Inter-Insular Squads
Junior Mixed: Dylan Thomaidis (c), Belle Duffell, Milena Grigoras, Sienna Bobus, Luca Barbu, Alex Wood, Maddie Edward, Ronaldo Gomes
Junior Men’s: Finn Hollick (c), Alex Wood, Luca Barbu, Ronaldo Gomes, Milena Grigoras, Dylan Thomaidis
Women’s B: Fiene Roberts (c), Milena Grigoras, Beth Bell, Kiera Melville, Sarah Marote, Kaja Jankowska, Micaela Camara, Tendai Mupundu, Sienna Bobus, Renata Freitas
Men’s B: Tim Silvester (c), Chris Milton, Dan Beck, Riki Spriggs, Jamie Allen, Oren Le Marquand, Daniel De Andrade
Women’s A: Andreea Gabriela Gainariu (c), Jess Cadiou, Nicola Appleton, Iza Gawlicka, Bénédicte Guinard, Ania Rowsell, Kaja Jankowska, Nyaradzo Muzira
Men’s A: Chris De Rue (c), Jordan Hampton, Finn Hollick, Jack Messervy, Val Heuguet, Patryk Lalka, Ciaran Westgate, Edouard Parslow
