2nd Ahoghill Company Section crashed out of this year's battalion volleyball competition during the first round of qualifying matches, which were held at Second Broughshane Presbyterian Church.
Our defence of the Ballymena Battalion Volleyball Cup, which we won last February, began against 1st Ballymena, 4th Ballymena and our hosts 1st Glenwherry. Each game was the best of three sets, with each set being played to 18 points.
Match 1 – 1st Glenwherry
After conceding the first point, the boys settled themselves into a rhythm to take a four point lead. However Glenwherry’s well placed serves would prove to be costly as they won the first set 18 – 15.
The second set began better, with the boys winning the opening point after an excellent rally. However things went downhill from there as the boys struggled to convert their serves into points, eventually losing the set 18 – 8.
Match 2 – 1st Ballymena
The opening set was evenly matched and produced a close battle between the teams, with our boys pulling off some impressive stand out shots. Unfortunately 1st Ballymena gained the upper hand, going on the win the set 13 – 18.
After a shaky start to the second set the boys settled into a composed rhythm, but would eventually allow 1st Ballymena back into the game to win the set 10 – 18.
Match 3 – 4th Ballymena
The first set was another closely contested battle and our most tense of the night. However a few costly mistakes allowed 4th Ballymena to eventually win 17 – 19, by two clear points.
The boys’ morale was boosted after a good rally in the second set, helping them to win 18 – 13 and draw the match level to one set each.
Unfortunately fatigue overcame the team in the deciding set, which we went on to lose 9 – 18.
The night’s results meant that our title defence was over and that 1st Ballymena would progress to the next round of the competition.
| Team | Matches Won | Sets For | Sets Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Ballymena | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| 1st Glenwherry | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| 4th Ballymena | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 2nd Ahoghill | 0 | 1 | 6 |
