AIS go close in five setter against Gentofte

Marsh dominating at the net

Australian Institute of Sport v Gentofte Denmark

Denmark Tour - Match 12 - 21-1-07

AIS lost to Gentofte 2:3 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, 23-25, 11-15 

AIS Starting Line-up (and points scored): Goldsbrough-Reardon (0), Thwaite (14), Passier (2), Edgar (19), Dekker© (4), Zingel (8), Thorpe (libero)

Substitutes: Sukochev (5), White (3), Marsh (14), :City Bell (DNP), Hughes (DNP)

The Australian Institute of Sport Men’s Volleyball Team continued their 2007 European Tour when they played their fifth and final match against the Denmark 1st Division teams, taking on a team comprising two Gentofte “starters” and their first division bench players in an afternoon match in Copenhagen.

The AIS started quite poorly in this match. After an early attack error and two “in play” hits, it was Passier who was able to put the AIS on the scoreboard with a stuff block. Gentofte served strongly to register two aces and an overpass. They led 8-3 at the first technical timeout. A transition play by Thwaite enabled the AIS to reduce the deficit by one point, at the second technical timeout, but the locals still led 16-11. Gentofte continued to serve strongly and this resulted in two more transition conversations, as well as an ace. Gentofte opened up a seven-point advantage to lead 21-14, which they maintained, despite aces to Passier and Edgar as well as a block to Zingel, winning the set 25-18.

The AIS made a few tactical changes in attack at the beginning of the second set and this, together with some improved blocking assisted them to be more competitive. Despite two aces to Gentofte improved siding out and early stuff blocks to Edgar and Marsh (two) assisted the AIS to stay in touch at 7-8, at the first technical timeout. When Marsh blocked again and Thwaite served two aces, the AIS took the lead and went to the second technical timeout four points ahead. They increased the lead with blocks to Edgar and Sukochev, as well as a transition play terminated by Edgar. Gentofte made a late comeback with two aces and two transition plays, but the AIS lead was too great and they took the set.

The third set was close in the early stages, but stuff blocks to Marsh, White and Edgar, put the AIS 8-6 ahead. By the second technical timeout the AIS had opened up a four-point break with further blocks to Marsh and Sukochev. When the Australians killed an overpass and Thwaite and Marsh chimed in with two more blocks the AIS held a comfortable 21-16 lead. The final margin was seven points after transition kills to Zingel and Sukochev as well as stuff blocks to both Sukochev and Thwaite.

The AIS started well in the fourth set. A transition through White, a stuff block to Marsh and a second transition point, this time through Zingel, had the AIS leading 8-6 at the first technical timeout. Serving became a problem for the AIS, as a concentration lapse contributed to three errors in quick succession. When Gentofte responded with some tough serves of their own, the AIS reception suffered as the locals reeled off three aces and a transition play to lead 16-13. The AIS fought back with a service ace to Marsh and two stuff blocks to Zingel, but Gentofte stuff blocked in response and then transitioned to maintain a two-point margin. Edgar served another ace, but the locals retaliated with an ace of their own. They took a close set 25-23.

There was little between the teams in the fifth set until the final stages. Despite an ace to Edgar, the locals remained more error free on attack (one error compared to four from the AIS) when it really counted. They also created and converted a transition play and served an ace to take the match.

The AIS now moves to Falkoping in Sweden to take on the National Junior Team of Sweden and Team Valla, from the National League’s 1st Division.

Statistics

Attack – Team 47% kill 14% error (33%ke) Marsh 71% kill (7) 14% error, Edgar 57% (23) 13% error, Thwaite 48% kill (21) 10% error

Block – Team 21 kill 1 control Marsh 8 kills and three each to Edgar, Zingel and Sukochev

Passing – Team 1.66 27% perfect 16% error

Serving – Team 1.68 7 aces 23 errors Sukochev 2.00; Edgar 3 aces each

Best players – Edgar, Sukochev, Marsh and Thwaite