Each year we ask a number of our youngsters to report back on their IRC experience, today we focus on Samantha Cory (SW No 18) from our U16 Girls Squad.

“On the 27th and 28th May I was lucky enough to be selected to play volleyball in the England inter-regional championship competition. I was going to be playing as part of the u16 team, representing the South West. The competition was in Kettering, at the national volleyball center and I was to be playing the libero.

When I got there I was surprised at how big the hall was, the hall was split with the U14 on one side and the U16 on the other side. There were 2 matches going on either side and I was also amazed at the standard of the players there.  The players played tactfully as well as having big, powerful hits that skimmed the net.

We had a total of six matches to play – three on Saturday, three on Sunday. We won four and narrowly lost two but we gave them a good game and they were only able to win on the third set by a few points. As a team, we came in 3rd position which I am very proud of as the competition were older than us and were very good.

I really enjoyed playing and watching the other matches as it was a good experience and a great way to learn. I feel much closer to my team and have developed good friendships. From the experience, I think I have improved and I now understand the game more.
I had not played libero many times before but I really enjoyed playing it as it is something different and it is a challenge.

I would like to thank my South West coach, Joanna, and the coaches and players of Torexe who have given their time to help me to improve.”

Samantha Cory

Toby Tapp (back row, third from the right)

This year’s Inter-regional championships started slow for our U17’s team as we dropped a set to South East as we made a few mistakes. For me it was quite a big change from last year where I was the main setter as this year I was either outside or opposite, however I feel I adapted well and played as best I could.

Winning both of our 2 games on Sunday and with London and East still to play, we were feeling confident. That confidence was quickly knocked as we lost to West Midlands which was down to our mistakes giving points away.

The competition overall ran smoothly; only being delayed shortly by long, 3 set games. The final game was between us and London, we had figured out (by reading the rules) that whoever won that game would win the competition. It was a hard fought game to 3 sets which we eventually won.

However, at the presentation London still believed that they had won despite going through the rules as there was confusion as we had both won equal amounts of games during the competition. However the rules were clear the winner of the last match won overall.

As my last year with the U17’s team it was really good to be able to win the competition and as an improvement on last year’s 2^nd place. I want to say a big thanks to Torexe volleyball club and specifically Dave Reece for enabling me to go to the competition the last 3 years and I hope that future years can replicate our success.

Toby Tapp