Beau Vallon take stuffing out of Spikers-. Cascade edge defending champs Friends |13 May 2013

On Saturday at the Palais des Sports, the two giants met in a Space 95 men’s top-of-the-table clash and as is usually the case the match did not lack excitement and big plays, but only this time it ended in just three sets – the minimum a team need to win a game.

On the same day, Cascade survived a shaky start to upset women’s defending champions Friends 3-2 in a match which lasted 103 minutes.

Although fans could watch the two matches from their own living rooms as they were beamed live on Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) TV, many turned up to the Palais des Sports to get a feel of the atmosphere.

Beau Vallon knocked the stuffing out of defending champions Premium Spikers who were without coach Bernard Denis on their bench and his replacement Maurice Denys had no solution to the team’s reception’s problem.

When Daniel Lozaique scored with a ace, Beau Vallon celebrated a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-23) victory in just 84 minutes against a Spikers team who lacked fighting spirit and seemed to forget the routine when coach Denis is away.

The team’s disappointing performance was evident as they surrendered a seven-point (17-10) lead in the second set before they were outscored 5-15 by Beau Vallon who won the set on a staunch three-man block against former pro Guy Valentin.

Setter and player of the year Paul Rose did not hide away from the truth after the humiliating loss.
“We were very poor in reception and it killed us,” said Rose after the match as dejected former pro Valentin stayed alone on the substitutes’ bench.

For the second time this year, the Beau Vallon fans were rocking in the stands as their team completed another rousing victory against their main rivals after the Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SVF) Shield win.

Instrumental in his team’s second win against Premium Spikers this year, former pro Ian Furneau said “it’s only now that the season starts for us.”
Beau Vallon coach Adolf Nalletamby was calm and said: “We had a good preparation for the match and we won it 3-0. I’m optimistic for the future and I want to up Beau Vallon’s play and help the team re-discover the glory days.”

In the Space 95 women’s division clash, Cascade, who finished last season empty-handed, look good for a piece of silverware this time as they picked up a 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 18-25, 15-4) 103-minute win against defending champions Friends coached by Jude Preira.

Coached by Marie-Ange Bouchereau, this is Cascade’s second win against teams who ranked among the top-three last year. They have also beaten La Digue and when asked about their chances for the title, international Maya Biong told Sports Nation that the team are on a good run.

“We now have to prepare for Arsu. It’s only after playing the first round matches that you can have a better picture of where you are heading,” she said.

Looking worried after the loss, Friends coach Preira said: “I just can’t understand how we can play a very good fourth set and then just fall apart in the fifth. Cascade have a young team and the win must have really boosted their moral. We now have to prepare for Arsu and La Digue.”

Meanwhile, in another Space 95 men’s top division match, Arsu Boyz came close to upsetting Racing Club but lost 2-3 (22-25, 28-26, 19-25, 25-23, 10-15) after 98 minutes of play.

In two Kokonet women’s division two games, Island Girls beat Mont Fleuri 3-0 (25-20, 31-29, 25-23) in 72 minutes and St Louis Bombers whitewashed Cadettes 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-14) in 54 minutes.

Air Waves dropped a set but still won 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21) in 75 minutes against BSA Spikers in a Kokonet men’s division two match.

G. G.