Local teams shine in Volleyball Ireland National Finals
THERE was no shortage of local success in the recent Volleyball Ireland National Finals held in Kilkenny.
The Clondalkin-based Dublin Volleyball Club captured the Men’s VAI Cup after outgunning the Tallaght Rockets first team 3-1 in the decider, with the experienced Vinnie Dos Santos marshalling his troops superbly.
Tallaght Rockets won the Inter Cup
Yet the DVC women fell short in their respective cup final despite a gritty performance against a Garda outfit that also won out 3-1 to bring the title home to Tallaght.
Tallaght Rockets also enjoyed their share of success, landing the Men’s Intermediate Cup following a thrilling five-set victory over Aer Lingus Harriers at last weekend.
Dublin Volleyball Club took the VAI Cup
The Rockets took the opening set 25-20, and looked odds on to wrap up victory in quick time.
Tomasz Konopka was dominating on the wing and combined well with setter Davide Cipoletti.
Yet the Harriers were not willing to throw in the towel and fought back to win the next two sets 27-25 and 25-17 respectively.
But, buoyed on by a supportive crowd, the Rockets re-grouped claiming the fourth set 25-19 to force a decider in which Edgaras Valavicius and Filipo Schembari performed superbly to help see the Tallaght side win out 15-6.
The Men’s Premier Masters play-off provided one of the shocks of the Finals as they carded a 3-1 triumph over Garda VC, Jeff King leading the charge.
Volleyball Ireland’s first ever Finals Weekend, the occasion was part of a calendar of promotional events to celebrate Volleyball Ireland’s 50th Anniversary.
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