Cadette Boys qualify for volleyball quarter-finals
CADETTE BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Elphin qualified for this years volleyball quarter-finals in impressive style when they defeated Drumshanbo V.S., Mercy College, Woodford and St. Louis’ Secondary School, Kiltimagh last Friday in Ballinagare. The boys were in scintillating form, not dropping a set on the day. Cathal Brady in particular shone out but this was overall an excellent team performance. Equally important for the coach was the opportunity to use the entire bench and each replacement blended in perfectly into the team setup.
ELPHIN V. DRUMSHANBO 25 -17, 25 -10
This game started off with Elphin quickly pulling ahead. John Sweeney’s powerful serves were broken well by the Drumshanbo team. Some good blocks from Elphin and powerful slams from Cathal Brady put Elphin into the lead. Elphin never allowed the Drumshanbo outfit into the set and ran out the comfortable winners 25 -17.
The second set started with Drumshanbo serving into the net. Stephen Ryan put Elphin into the lead with some good serves. Drumshanbo rallied well but John Sweeney got Elphin back on track with a fine smash. Cathal Brady continued his excellent display with some good blocks and a great line of serves putting Elphin well ahead. Elphin won 11-25.
ELPHIN V. WOODFORD 25 -14, 25 -22
This was a tight game with good play from both sides. Donal Bradys good serves gave Elphin points but Woodford soon levelled the scores at 6-6. Elphin retook the lead with John Sweeney picking out the open spots. With intense action Elphin won the first set 25-14.
Elphin took first serve, with the ball finding the net. Stephen Ryan had a terrific match and his combination of top class setting and consistent serving gave Elphin back the lead. With the powerful attacks from Woodford the teams were again level at 10-10. The teams traded scores before the Brady twins opened up an important gap at 20 – 16. Elphin went on to win 25-22.
ELPHIN V. KILTIMAGH 25 -20, 25 -17
An intense warm up for an intense game. This one decided the Kiltimagh teams fate in the competition. The boys were ready for glory. Conor Sweeney started the game with some very consistent serving. A great block from John Sweeney extended the lead further. Cathal Brady with a superb smash. A bad mistake by Daniel Marron gifted the opposition a point. Great blocks by Cathal Brady twice, put Elphin in the lead 7-6. A great serve from Ryan Larkin put Elphin 24-17. Cathal Brady scored the final point of the game with a smash, to send Elphin through as group winners.
Team as follows: J. Sweeney (Capt), I. Weston, S. Killoran, D. Marron, D. Ryan, M. Higgins, F. McDermott, G. McDermottroe, M. Brennan, R. Larkin, C. Sweeney, S. Ryan, D. Brady, C. Brady
