VLY completed the last U16 Girls National Final in The Watershed Kilkenny earlier today. Once again our 2022 format of twelve finalists gathered to determine who would be crowned champions by the end of the day’s play.
In Pool 1 Sutton Park started strongly registering three wins from three and the highest points difference of all teams present. Coming in just behind them Portlaoise college secured the best 2nd place finish of all pools to also provide them with a bye past the first knockout round. This left St Leo’s and 4th place St Brigid’s SS completing the pool
Pool 2 pitted local schools St Raphaels, Ardscoil Mhuire and Colaiste an Eachreidh together with Dublin’s Grange CC. The Ballinasloe team finished top with a tense 26-24 victory over St Raphaels leaving An Eachreidh and Grange coming in 3rd and 4th.
Pool 3 Colaiste Muire, Patrician Presentation, Nord Anglia IS and Loreto College Swords battled it out. The Ennis school pipping Patrician to top spot and leaving Nord Anglia taking 3rd from Loreto.
In the knockout round Colaiste an Eachreidh, Loreto Swords, St Brigids and Grange CC all bowed out early. As we moved onto our quarters final, the sets were getting tighter and tighter. After some great volleyball from all teams, Sutton Park, Portlaoise, Ardscoil and Colaiste Muire all progressed into the semis.
Semi Final 1 scheduled a repeat of Sutton Park vs Portlaoise College however this time the Portlaoise team took the win 25-21 and set up another final for the Laois school against Colaiste Muire who dominated their semi 25-11.
Portlaoise looking to add an U16 B to their Senior B title late in 2021 came out firing and although losing 5 points over a rotation fault they took the set 25-16. Colaiste continued to produce the fine volleyball we expect from the school and levelled up in the 2nd 25-20 before also taking the third and the U16 B title back to Clare.
MVP Caitriona Warner
