The University of Galway (Men) and Trinity College Dublin (Women) teams returned to Ireland after incredible Student Cup tournaments in England over the bank holiday weekend.
Both teams impressed hugely and displayed the high standards of volleyball currently being played within Irish universities.
An Irish player did claim gold with University College London and Ireland libero Caitriona Ni Riordain overcoming Trinity College in the Women’s final.
Conor Goggins, (UoG) Club vice captain and Volleyball Ireland’s Youth Council President recalls their tournament for us.
“After a long travel and impressive campaign the University of Galway Men’s team traveled to East Anglia University in Norwich to compete in the Volleyball England Student Cup.
Placed in a tough m group. Galway fought Oxford , Leeds and Anglia Ruskin in a point for point match of attrition. Taking both Leeds 1 and Anglia Ruskin to tiebreakers the Irish champions found themselves in the lower bracket of the tournament finishing 4th in the group.
In the next phase of the tournament, Galway found their stride and went on to beat University of Bradford, University of Warwick and University of Leeds 2 to finish their campaign on a winning streak”
Grace Moloney, TCD Libero and Irish International for indoor and beach reported on the girls’ competition
“After winning the Irish inter-varsities in Galway last October, the Trinity College women’s volleyball team were afforded the opportunity to travel to Norwich, England to compete in the Volleyball England Student Cup. We were full of anticipation and excitement as we made our way to the University of East Anglia last Saturday morning.
We began our campaign competing in the pool stages against University of Warwick, University of Cardiff and University of Leeds. After three hard fought battles, Trinity College topped the group and progressed into the quarter finals, where upon we met Bath University on Sunday morning.
Whilst being 14-9 down in the deciding set we managed to hold our nerves, and with outstanding support from the side lines, Trinity College pulled ahead to win the set 17-15, and made their way into the semifinals against Oxford University.
Similar to the quarter finals, it took three sets to overcome a very spirited and determined Oxford team. In the final, Trinity College met the reigning champions, University College London, a team which had strength and depth in all positions on the court. Following a hard fought battle, UCL were victorious on a score line of 2-0. However, the Trinity College team left the court with their heads held high, and were extremely proud of their performances and achievements over the weekend. A special mention to our very own Trinity College player, Pierce Woodall, who was awarded MVP for the final”
Congratulations to both teams on fantastic tournaments! Onwards and upwards for volleyball here in Ireland.
#FEELTHEBUZZ
Photo credit -@teagan.jpg
