The newly rebranded Newcastle Knights kicked off the season on October 12 in the National Volleyball Centre, located in Kettering. What was set to be an easy match turned into a breath-taking 5-set game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
During the NVL Opening Weekend, we saw great volleyball. Freshly promoted London Giants took last year’s champions, Durham Palatinates, and even though they took the first set home, they got beaten 3-1 by Durham University’s team. Chey Coop, a player for the Palatinates, stated that this team can win the Super League again.
the stakes are high for both North Eastern teams.
Palatinates have previously won the NVL Super League twice - so it's no wonder they believe they can do it again. However, Newcastle University Volleyball Club beat Durham University 3-0 the other day. So, the stakes are high for both North Eastern teams.
The Newcastle Knights were impatiently waiting for their debut while this match was finishing. They took the court feeling confident in their team. After their last season, all returning players were looking forward to competing for the title again, and what better way to showcase your new team than to play one of the oldest volleyball clubs in the country?
The expectation was high, as it was the last match of the evening, but neither the players nor the public knew what they were expecting.
When the starting six was announced, it was no surprise that Team England players like James Ledbury or Kelechi Bell were in the line-up. Alongside them, we saw new international recruits like Canadian star player Matthew Milne or Boston’s setter Neil Rea making their NVL debut.
During the first set, the scoreboard went through highs and lows, with the Knights coming back into the match after a timeout called by the head coach, Sam Shenton. Even though the Knights dominated during the whole set, serve errors from both teams played an important role, as more than 10 points alone were lost on both sides.
Both teams called various timeouts, which were used to discuss strategies and correct mistakes. The atmosphere during the last points of the first set was tense as the Knights were catching up on the Eagles. After a perfect pass from Ollie Tuck and an even more perfect set from Rea, Kelechi Bell scored the last point with a great swing.
When the second set started, the Knights took the lead until Newcastle alumni and Malory Eagles player Nathan Fullerton began to do what he knows best: be one of the best volleyball players in the country. The Eagles started to build a gap in points, but after some breath-taking rallies and some deserved celebrations, the Knights took the second set after a fantastic block by Boston’s duo, Neil Rea and Ryan Peace.
After receiving some tips from the head coach, the Knights went into the third set, thinking that it would be easy. But what they didn’t expect was for the Malory Eagles to fight back, making this set a tight one. The Eagles didn’t make any visible mistakes, their team communication was outstanding, and the way the players moved on the court is what makes them famous.
the Knights showed a masterclass of both offence and defence, overall making them the better team.
Even though the Eagles won this third set, the Knights’ way of playing volleyball is eye-catching. And, in order to win this match, they had to show it.
The Knights showed incredible defensive skills during the fourth set, but it wasn’t enough to finish the match. The Malory Eagles dominated this whole set, from blocking great swings to perfectly receiving all the Knights' attacks. Nathan Fullerton, alongside Joshua Fundafunda, carried the team into winning this fourth set and taking the match into a tiebreak.
After the end of this set, the atmosphere at the National Volleyball Centre started to get tense. Both teams had a goal on their minds: winning the match. The Knights began to lead this tiebreak with clear dominance, creating a difference of more than four points ahead of the Eagles.
it was nice to see what we'd been working on in practice come together
Even though the Eagles were slowly decreasing that difference, the Knights showed a masterclass of both offence and defence, making them the better team. After a tight set (15-12) and an exhilarating match, the Newcastle Knights took home their first victory of the season.
Following the celebrations, James Ledbury was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy. He shared that: “the game went really well for us overall". While starting the game a bit slower, the pace was picked up - and it shows with the successful win. He continued to say: "As our first game together with a nearly completely new starting team, it was nice to see what we'd been working on in practice come together."
Ledbury thanked the Head Coach, Sam Shenton, and Assistant Coach, Dan Livingstone, who played essential roles for training up the team in order for this win. While it was a fantastic start from Ledbury as an individual being named MVP, "it could've gone to any of the team on the day." Everyone loves a humble winner! Hopefully their success will continue for their next match against London Giants on November 3 for a home match. Up the Knights!
As our first game together with a nearly completely new starting team, it was nice to see what we’d been working on in practice come together
After this win, the Knights, who started as the underdogs, are one of the favourites to win the league. Will they be able to defeat the Durham Palatinates, the reigning champions, and crown themselves as the best team in the country?