Volleyball Association of Ireland

Primary & Post-Primary Schools

National

Championships 2009/10

Post Primary Schools National Spikeball Final

UCD - 29th April 2010

Results and Report

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2009/10 Post-Primary National Spikeball Finals Report
by

Laura Finn and Sarah Brett (Colaiste Bride, Clondalkin, Co Dublin)
　
 Thursday the 29th of April 2010 was a day to remember in UCD with SpikeBall teams coming from all over Ireland for the 1st and 2nd year National SpikeBall Finals. Thirty two teams from across the country came together and played to their very best as the competition became tougher and tougher. There were tears of joy and tears of sadness.
 
The day began with the thirty two well trained teams but as the day progressed the number of teams condensed to only six; two finalists for each category(boys, girls and mixed).
 
In the 1st year boys final St Raphael's, Loughrea, Co Galway took home the title in their match against Colaiste Chathail Naofa, Dungarvan, Co Waterford. It was an exciting match but St Raphael's came out on top with the results from the 1st set and 2nd set being 21-12 and 21-17 respectively.
 
The winner of the 1st year girls final was St Mary's College, Sallins Road, Naas, Co Kildare who had a glorious win over St Raphael's, Loughrea, Co Galway in the first set (21-12) but had a minor set-back in the second set with a score of 16-21. However, they fought back and won the third and final set with a close score of 15-13.
 
In the 1st year mixed final Colaiste Chathail Naofa, Dungarvan, Co Waterford and St Raphael's, Loughrea, Co Galway battled it out for the title with the clear winners being Colaiste Chathail Naofa with a score of 21-10 in the first set and 21-14 in the second set.
 
The 2nd year finals showed a lot of talent and all matches were that of a very high standard of playing.
Perhaps one of the most exciting matches of the day was the 2nd year boys final between Davis College, Mallow, Co Cork and St Raphael's, Loughrea, Co Galway. A close match, the scores were 24-22 and 21-17 with Davis College claiming the trophy.
 
St Raphael's, Loughrea, Co Galway had a great win over Mount St Michael Secondary School, Claremorris, Co Mayo in the 2nd year girls final. The point difference minute in the first set (25-23) but more broad in the second set. (21-11) A great game was played by both teams.
 
The 2nd year mixed final was quite unusual in the way that two teams from the same school played against each other, both hoping to be crowned champion. Though Team 1 and Team 2 from St Brigid's Vocational School, Loughrea, Co Galway certainly did not let this affect their game and both teams played to the best of their ability with Team 1 coming out victorious.(21-12, 21-17, set 1 and set 2 respectively).
 
There was exceptional playing by all players who took part and it was an achievement to even get this far. Great skill was shown in particular by Justina Polaszek(Colaiste Bride), Joseph Lumelay(St Raphaels), Brenden Corrigan(Davis College), Maria Cooney(St Brigid's Vocational School), John Harty(Colaiste Chathail Naofa), Milo McCarthy(DGS), Eoin Shields(Portmarnach), and Christopher Power(Colaiste Chathail Naofa). Though these weren’t the only fantastic players of the day! The skill and enthusiasm of the young players showed that SpikeBall is definitely a popular sport. The day was enjoyed by everyone, new skills were learned and new friends were made.
 
We wish all the best to all the 2nd years who are fully prepared because of SpikeBall to move onto J6 volleyball, and also give congratulations to the teams who made it to this year’s finals and a well done to our winners and runners up!

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Primary Schools National Spikeball Finals

Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

9th March 2010

Report by Gemma Ryan

On Tuesday 9th of March Mary Immaculate College was overflowing with family, friends, teachers, coaches, and students as it was host to this years VAI Spikeball National Finals. There were three different categories: boys team, girls team and then a mixed team. To get to these much desired finals, the South, West and East regions had to hold regional finals and from those the top two teams in each category were put through to the National Finals. Each team came fully prepared and have there own game plans and strategies well thought out. This is what the teams had all been working up to and after how much effort and hard work they put in none of them wanted to leave without first place beside there names. So undoubtedly a thrilling competition was in store for all of the spectators and the players themselves.
            There were four courts and eight teams playing at a time. In each category all the teams got a chance to play each other. From this the top four teams were put into the semi-finals and the winners of those matches would have to face off and battle for the much eluded first place title.
            The girl’s teams from the start got stuck into it all and provided the spectators with some great games and skill shown. Into the semi-finals was the St. Eda Kiwi’s playing the Callan Scarlets, and the St. Attracta Elks playing the Gleibeigh Cobra’s. All teams put in a huge effort and played their socks off but it was the Callan Starlets and the St. Attracta Elks who just had the edge on their opponents and made their way to the finals. The final was a huge event as fierce competition was between the two schools. Both teams throughout the competitions had shown how worthy they were of winning. In the end the St. Attracta Elks came out on top and won the two games 21-8, 21-12.
            The boy’s teams again showed great skill and team work. If one person was in trouble there was always a team mate there ready to jump in and help them out. The four teams who made it into the semi-finals was the Ayle Vipers against the St. Mary’s Pumas, and then the Creagh Cougars against the Spa Spinners. These matches were very close as they all seemed to be very evenly matched but it was the Ayle Vipers and the Spa Spinners who earned their place into the finals. The Ayle Vipers and the Spa Spinners put up a great fight from the start and showed some killer hits. After two very close matches, scores 21-18, 21-16 the Ayle Vipers had won themselves first place and the Spikeball National Title.
            The mixed teams gave us some superb games and were truly a thrill to watch. It was great seeing the boys and girls work so well together and were always so supportive and ready offer each other encouragement when it was needed. It was the St. Augstin Jets to play the Spa Spikers, and the Mayo Wildcats to play the Cork Lions in the semi-finals. After what were some truly nail biting moments the St. Augstine Jets and Cork Lions were victorious and were to face off in the much anticipated finals. This final was the closest of all the finals on the day and gave the spectators and teams plenty of excitement. Both teams showed great skill and you could see clearly how much work the kid’s had put in. Each player had there own strengths to add to the team and they both preformed great talent. In the end it was the St. Augstine Jets who won in straight sets, 21-19, 21-17.
            All round a great day was had, with excitement, nerves but most importantly it was fun for everyone there. The matches ran smoothly and there were no hiccups. It really showed us how much talent and skill these kid’s had and what a huge effort their coaches had put into teaching them. Congratulations to all the teams who competed as ye made it a fantastic day and gave us the spectators truly brilliant matches for us to watch.

Primary Schools Competition

All teams progress to National Finals in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on 9th March 2010

Boys Post Primary Spikeball Competition

1st Round - To be played by Thursday 11th March 2010

2nd Round - Regional Finals - To be played by Thursday 15th April 2010

Pool Organiser from 1st Round jointly organise Regional Finals

National Finals Thursday 29th April 2010

UCD Dublin

4 Teams in 1st Year Boys - 4 Teams in 2nd Year Boys

Girls Post Primary Spikeball Competition

1st Round - To be played by Thursday 11th February 2010

All Teams qualify for Round 2 with teams in each pool seeded for mini region pools

Girls Post Primary Spikeball Compeition 2nd Round - Mini Regions

To be played by Thursday 11th March 2010

Pool organisers from 1st Round jointly organise the 2nd Round

Girls Post Primary Spikeball Competition 3rd Round - Regional Finals

To be played by Thursday 15th April 2010

Orgainsers for Regional Competition to be appointed after 2nd Round

National Finals Thursday 29th April 210

UCD Dublin

8 Teams in 1st year Girls Competition - 8 Teams in 2nd Year Girls Competition

Mixed Post Primary Spikeball Competitions

1st Round Regionals Finals - To be played by thursday 15th April 2010

East Regional Finals to be played in Dublin - VAI to organise

South/West Region Finals to be played in Limerick - VAI to organise

National Finals Thursday 29th April 2010

UCD Dublin

4 in 1st Year mixed Competition - 4 in 2nd Year mixed Competition