Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility played host to the Junior SVL U18 finals on Sunday.
Three courts were all set-up for a full day of junior volleyball celebration to allow friends and family to share in the development of the players and a great reward for the commitment shown throughout the season in training and matches.
The first matches were the boys semi-finals. City of Edinburgh found themselves 18-24 down, staring 6 match points against, when young Sean Harrison stepped up and with the help of some committed blockers and great support from the travelling fans drew back to 24-24 but it wasn’t to be as South Ayrshire took the match 2-0.
In the other semi-final, NUVOC and Su Ragazzi fought a closely contested encounter with big hitters Conor Walker and Cameron Hardman trading kills throughout. It was Su Ragazzi who edged through and took their place in the final. 
The 1st girls semi-final was a straightforward affair for Marr College over Su Ragazzi despite some committed defence from the Glasgow side.
The 2nd semi-final was arguably the best match of the whole day as Aberdeen Grammar came out flying, despite their 7am departure from the Granite City, against City of Edinburgh. The defensive commitment from both teams resulted in a long gruelling match, which had the supporters biting their nails at times. It was City of Edinburgh who edged the match 15-13 in the deciding set.
Before the big finals there was the placing games, with 3rd place being battled out between City of Edinburgh and Cavalry Park NUVOC in the boys, with another resilient performance from City in the Edinburgh Derby coming out on top 2-1, despite a confident and brilliant team performance from the young NUVOC side.
In the other 3rd place play-Off Aberdeen Grammar took on SU Ragazzi in other tight match, with Aberdeen not letting their disappointment from the semi-final affect their performance, they came back to win the game 2-0. SU Ragazzi showed great potential in the match and some of their young players have a great future in the game.
Marr College B and Cavalry Park NUVOC competed in an intense and thrilling 3 setter in the 5th Place Play-off, with Marr College coming out on top.
The Junior SVL U18 boys final was played out between South Ayrshire and Su Ragazzi, with respective setters Lewis MacMillan and Mark Hickey trying to find their big hitters at the right times in the match. It was South Ayrshire who managed to convert their chances more effectively than their opposition to take the title for 2015.
The final game of the day saw Marr College and City of Edinburgh take to
court to compete for the title of SVL Junior Champions 2015. Despite close early exchanges with the score at 7-8 Marr College’s Rachel Morrison went on a 9 point serving run to Marr in control as they took the first set 25-11. Buoyed by strong support in the stands City of Edinburgh competed well in the second set finding themselves with a set point at 24-23. However, it was Rachel Morrision once more at the service line as she served Marr to the set 26-24 and match.
Thank you to the Regiment of Referees, who helped control the day well on top of mentoring the junior scorers and line-judges.
A special thank you to Aileen Hall and Tom Rooney, who took on various roles throughout the day from officials stand deliverers to Scorers and officials.
Parents, friends, family, club mates and coaches filled all three courts creating a great support network for the young players, thank you to everyone that came along and gave their time towards this event.
It was great to see teams, coaches, players, parents coming together to support not only their own team but all teams and help with the experience and development of the players.
Full Photo Gallery can be viewed HERE.
Graeme Spowart
Club and Participation Development Officer
Scottish Volleyball Association
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