Volleyball: National League-Tension mounts as leagues near end |16 August 2012

Premium Spikers extended their unbeaten run to nine games last weekend with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) 115-minute win over Racing Club.

Neo Boyz consolidated third place in the six-team standings with a 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10) victory against lowly Anse Royale. The win is the fifth for Neo Boyz in eight games for 18 points, while Anse Royale are winless in nine games.

Beau Vallon, who were not in action last weekend, have two more games to play in the championship and only they can stop Premium Spikers from retaining the top flight crown. In the event of Beau Vallon whitewashing their final two opponents, including Premium Spikers, in their last two games they will finish the league with the same number of points – 28 – as the defending champs, but will dethrone coach Bernard Denis’ team on set difference – +23 (29 for and 6 against) – compared to Premium Spikers’ +20 (27 for and 7 against).

In the women’s division one league, La Digue continue to lead the eight-team standings with 30 points after nine wins and three defeats in 12 games.

Last weekend, La Digue failed to beat defending champions Friends as they stumbled for the third time in a 147-minute 1-3 (21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 23-25) loss on Saturday. But the players of coach Nichol Lesperance rebounded to victory the following day with an easy 3-0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-15) win against tailenders Santa West who are yet to taste victory in 11 games.

The clash between Cascade and Arsu lived up to its billing and lasted 207 minutes. In the end, Cascade triumphed 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10) for their ninth victory in 19 games – the same record as Friends who also have 28 points.

In the other women’s top flight match, Juniors brought their win-lose record to 5-5 with a 3-0 (32-30, 25-8, 25-19) win against OSC Comets.

Judging from the current situation, the final weeks leading to the championship crowns look to be interesting and volleyball lovers should not miss the action.

Meanwhile, in two women’s division two matches Praslin-based Saints beat St Louis Bombers 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 25-27, 17-25, 15-11) and Mont Fleuri defeated Aros 3-0 (25-5, 25-18, 25-12).

In the men’s division two, Outsiders edged Juniors 3-2 (25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-21, 15-13) and Airwaves earned a 3-2 (25-14, 19-25, 25-22, 16-25, 16-14) win against Cadets.

G. G.