Sunday’s game saw Spikers lose to Nottingham Rockets in a very close knit game.
 
Nottingham took the first set 25-19 and the second 25-21 whilst the Norwich boys managed to score the win in the third set at 25-20. There was only two points in it during the final set as Nottingham took the match with a 25-23 victory. It was no doubt tough on the boys having played so very well with both teams almost evenly matched, but Nottingham were just better on the day.
 
Pooria was named MVP and next up for the guys is a home game against Manchester Marvels who sit just three places above them in the league table.
 
So let’s get behind the boys and give them our full support this Sunday 25th as it might just make that little bit of difference to have their fellow peers cheering them on in familiar surroundings as they aim to take their first league win of the season.

The men got the result they needed against Newmarket VC in the first round of the National Shield taking the match 3 sets to 1. I say, “the result they needed” as the guys have been on the wrong end of the final scoreline for a few games now and this match might just be enough to lift up their spirits for their next fixture.
 
The team took the first set 25-18, lost the second set 23-25, the third set was taken at 25-23 and the victory was achieved with a score of 25-18. The result of each set suggests a very close match and I’ve been informed that whilst the guys didn’t play as well as we know they can, they did just enough to win.
 
As always, thanks to the referee, scorers and line judges for providing their time.
 
Sometimes a team’s performance can be harmed because of psychological damage done by a run of defeats, and perhaps not playing to their very best in this match was the consequence of their recent form. This perhaps being the case, the fact that they pulled the result they needed out of the bag when it mattered the most is credit to their resilience and sheer determination.
 
Next up is Tendring VC who sit a division above Norwich so this is a match that will test the lads’ resolve. We all know they can play to their strengths so very well, and as long as the entire team stays focussed, then this underdog might just have its day.

Another match and it was almost business as usual for the girls. Nearly maintaining their 100% winning record, it was ultimately ruined by Tamworth as they defeated Spikers 3-2 in the first match of the day. This must have spurred the ladies on as the second match against Northampton was taken by Norwich with a 3-1 scoreline. Georgia Biscaro was named as MVP for the first match, and Agnieszka Kowalska was MVP for the second.
 
The girls should be commended upon their extraordinary ability to bring out the best in each other and make the most of any difficult situation as they were 3 regular players down due to injury and had to register 2 new players on match day. This, coupled with 2 players playing out of their usual position, just goes to show how good this team really is.
 
Just to prove this point, the team took Tamworth Spartans all the way to a fifth set. To put this into context, Tamworth are the top scorers in the league and have only been beaten, so far, by a full strength Spikers side in the reverse fixture. Unfortunately it wasn't two out of two against them, but the entire team and coaching staff should be celebrated for the ability to turn a lot of negatives into a host of positives.
 
There is a long way to go, but Norwich still top the table and that in itself is a credit to how well the team comes together - and they should receive all the plaudits they can for that very reason.

Every so often, teams break out of character and turn out a forgettable performance. The word "forgettable" is quite fluid in this context, it can mean that a team just doesn't care about the game and as a result turns out a sub-par performance as a consequence, but we all know that the boys care about every minute they spend on that court. No, "forgettable" in this regard is quite simply that the guys were outplayed and will be looking back on this match to see where the improvements need to be.
 
Spikers were at home and up against a very strong Nottingham University side and lost the match 3-0. The first and second sets were almost point for point at 20-25 and 23-25 respectively. The final set outcome was 12-25. Ben Stek was very well rewarded in his first match back since surgery being named MVP and a quick mention for Jack Betts making his NVL debut. As always, thanks to the scorers and line judges for giving up their time.
 
Recent results haven't gone their way, and the odd performance like this where nothing will just go right is nothing to worry about. It happens, you take a step back and you look at what went wrong and how you can start to rectify it. The reason to worry is when this starts to become a pattern, but the guys themselves will be aware of what they can each take away from this game, and the coaching staff do an excellent job with the boys and will, quite simply, never let them slack off.
 
So heads up guys, it just wasn't your day but you'll get them next time!

"What", "if" and "but". Three little words that are able to inflict a lot of post match psychological damage. What if I had spiked to somewhere else? If the outside was blocked properly, then he wouldn't have scored that point. But we nearly had them.

It is easy to break down a losing performance into what could have been and what so very nearly was. The temptation is there to point fingers in any team sport, but the truth of it is that in team sports, we both win together, and lose together. No individual is ever responsible for the team's loss.

This blame culture that we have in society about picking out individuals who are culpable was very recently highlighted by one of the club's team captains when diagnosing a local league match loss, and his point about the loss being shared proves true. In a team game, everyone is responsible for every point, both scoring and conceding. If the setter fails to set properly, then the hitter doesn't have the optimum chance to take full advantage. If the middle misses the block, then the team might concede.

The reason I'm highlighting this is because Spikers lost 3-1 to Stockport VC at the weekend in a match where they might very well have been asking themselves these very questions. Stockport took the first set 25-20 whilst Spikers took the second set impressively with a 25-23 win. 25-21 was the scoreline in the third set as Stockport went two sets up. The fourth set was a tough battle but the home team took the match with a 29-27 result.

The final set was quite key here as, had it gone just slightly in the opposite favour, then I might be writing a report on a fantastic win, but naturally, the team will be asking these questions with those three little words at the forefront and I do say "naturally" because as human beings, we strive to be perfect in whatever we do, and volleyball is no different. Whilst losing is never anybody's cup of tea, the performance as a whole was fantastic and Aaron Granados especially made his mark by picking up his very first MVP. It just wasn't their day, but they need to hold their heads up high, forget about dissecting the "whats", "ifs" and "buts" and look ahead to the next fixture.

Next up is York VC and whilst the boys will be hoping for a change of fortunes in the result, their performance has never faltered and I have just three closing words for them. You did good!

The second round cup game against Team Essex Blaze was a case of David vs Goliath as Spikers went into the match as the underdog against a team that plays at the highest level of the NVL. To put it in context, think of a Premier League club playing a League One side.

Blaze took the match 3-0 with the scoreline 25-15, 25-18 and 25-18. In all sports sometimes the underdog has his day, Japan beating South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup or a little known 19 year old Swiss Tennis player, Roger....something or other, toppling Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. Sport has its shocks but unfortunately for Norwich, it was business as usual for Essex, this dog will have to wait a little longer for its day.

Goliath prevailed against David. He won this battle, but David should not in any way be disappointed with his performance. On two occasions, it is a credit to the boys losing a set to a team of this calibre by a meagre margin of just 7 points. Had lady luck been on their side, then 7 points could have easily been swung in their favour. But it was not meant to be. This was a match that every single player put all of their effort into and this was reflected by each player being named as MVP. It shows just how much unity these guys have and how much the entire team cares about the performance.

Team Essex Blaze march onto the third round of the cup whilst Spikers line up Stockport VC in their sights in their next league game.

Goliath will eventually fall and David just needs to keep his head up high and take all the positives from his performance. It was a game played with heart right to the end, and David will have his vengeance.