European Women’s Small Nations Qualifier 
Schaan - June 4th – 6th 2010

The Scottish women were ready and all I can say is well…….if it could go wrong in the build up to the event itself it did!! Not unless you consider the commitment of the players; the personal buy in was fabulous and the coaching staff were simply terrific. We had players having to attend weddings, a host of foreign national player problems, exams, volcanic dust and anything else you care to consider. Juniors moved up, new faces came in and they were all fantastic. To try and place it in perspective our team only had three recognised players from the squad which competed in Breda the previous year, we were new, we were disciplined and we travelled to Succeed.

The decision to include fourteen extra sessions on a twice a weekly basis was just the right thing to do and it enhanced the team spirit, systems of play and created the environment to succeed.
Special mention goes to Emma Clarkston, Beth and Caroline Clayton who all continued to train long after the squad was selected. Their presence supported the match preparation big time. Tom Dowens also delivered sessions when I was not available and this added value to the overall environment.

True to form our flights were affected by the BA strike. However we were in confident spirit following a super first training session. Scotland opened against the hosts and made a good start with some big blocking from Cathy Smy, which forced Liechtenstein into a number of hitting errors.

Scotland were always in control despite failing to kill consistently from the outside. Laura McReady was providing outstanding passing in conjunction with Jenny Krawczyk and their defensive qualities were keeping the hosts at bay. At 17-14 we had a mini collapse to fall 21-18 behind. From there on in the game followed with serve and reception; Scotland lost 22-25.

The second set followed a similar pattern and a six-point gap opened up early in the set and despite working hard failed to make an impact on an ever-improving Liechtenstein side. The two setters, Aileen Hall and Laura Bolton, used variation, made the correct decisions at the right time, offered options but could not get the hitters, other than Laura McReady, into the game.

The third set was a replica of the second and Jenny Krawczyk a shining example to the side. The game hinged on a clever clutch of ten short serves from the opposition setter which took the score from 4-9 to fourteen nine. Scotland, through clever play from Cathy Smy and Hazel Gow came back to 22-22.  Scotland fought hard but at 24-23 there was a power hit from Liechtenstein and with it went the game.

So we went back to the drawing board and the rotation was flipped with Lindsey Coburn slotting into the middle, Linsey Bunton to the power and Hazel Gow to the offset. The rotation flip was solid however the only hitting success was through the middle. Our outside offered some support and the Faroes were made to work for their 25-20 victory.
Stability was the key in the second set and both passing units provided a platform for the sideout unit to dominate the game. The Faroes nipped in at the close of the set to edge Scotland out 25-22.

Scotland started miserably in the third set and slid to a 2-8 deficit. From there they fought hard and Aileen Hall and Linsey Bunton provided the inspiration to lead the fight back to 19-17. Once more our sideout dominated and Cathy Smy provided the finishing touch to win our first set of the tournament, 25-22 and place us right back in the match.

In the fourth set Scotland started badly and once more and found ourselves down 2-6 within minutes. Excellent fight and play turned the game Scotland’s way to 6-6 and at 24-19 we looked to be taking the game to a fifth set. However failure to score in sideout or transition allowed Faroes to level the score, 24-24. At 25-24 Scotland took the point to 25-25 and then two uncharacteristic errors saw Scotland’s qualification chances disintegrate.

The third match against the impressive Cyprus side saw Scotland perform at our best. Losing 3-0 but demonstrating excellence and skill with the young South Ayrshire contingent all playing in this match and demonstrating our continued hope for improvement of this Senior team. Laura McReady and Jenny Krawczyk were awesome in passing and defence. Middle attackers were of a high quality and Linsey Bunton demonstrated passion as captain

The squad had a formidable spirit and their capacity for improvement was awesome. Their commitment was only matched by Gail Campbell’s efficiency. She supported in every aspect and through the uncertainty over the strip selection, lettering, players ineligibility Gail was unmoved and a stalwart of this campaign.
Malcolm McLean is fast becoming a rare IT analyst. He was par excellence.
Dave McEwan grows with every game and the back up provided by Tom Dowens and John Scrimegour on home territory provided a match edge and focus to the training.

Coltness High staff also provided a valuable support to the infrastructure of the squad training and my thanks goes to North Lanarkshire Council for their continued support of Scottish Volleyball.
Over all we improved but lacked the competitive edge to close out sets. However on a very positive note we created the base to win sets and possible matches in the future and this can only get better as we develop quality match play. The question for this squad is can we gather a sustainable squad who will win? All things are possible in this environment.

Thanks for the chance to work with this group. It was a rare treat and pleasure.

Thanks

John French
Coach- Scotland Women Coach