Super League review (29th and 30th November) - Palatinates women go top in signal of intent

MAAREE Women’s Super League 

Durham Palatinates have moved to the summit after a show of strength in the capital. 

While the North East club uncharacteristically struggled last season, they have been back to their best at the start of the 25-26 campaign. 

Their latest pair of triumphs on Saturday and Sunday were the latest evidence to underline they are determined to become champions once more. 

First, at the Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, Paul Welsh’s side held their nerve against Lionhearts Vinarius after the exchange of two tight opening sets to take control of the match thereafter (25-23, 24-26, 25-15, 25-15). 

Elena Bullemer served four aces, completed 35 of 85 assists and made eight digs to be Durham’s MVP. 

Gloria Francalanci was MVP for Lionhearts, while Maria Sviridova hit 13 kills and Diane Ewane 11 kills. 

Then, against a Team SideOut Polonia side with whom they have frequently competed in recent years to be the country’s top dogs, they racked up their fifth win in succession to start the season. 

The 25-16, 25-19, 25-17 success leaves them three points clear at the top with a game in hand and, already, looking like near-certs to make the end-of-season Final 4. 

Chloe Thomas made no fewer than seven blocks, four of them solo, and completed 13 kills for a 0.33 hitting percentage. 

Carla Mulli had a service rating of 2.30 and added 11 kills, one block and nine digs for the defeated hosts. 

It was not such a great weekend for Malory Eagles who were knocked down to second after a straight sets defeat at Essex Rebels. 

With Alex Chinery’s charges now just two points behind with two games in hand after beating their rivals 25-19, 25-21, 25-19, the Colchester-based side are well placed to go second when they catch up on their fixtures. This was Chinery's first victory over the Malory Eagles in his coaching caree with Malory Eagles and hopes to carry this momentum into their BUCS fixture this week and their next match agaisnt Darkstar on the 14th December.

Haley Gilfillan completed 12 kills (joint most with Elayna Duprey) at a hitting percentage of 0.409 and added five blocks. 

Eagles libero Ari Sierra had a service reception rating of 2.28 from 18 attempts and also made 13 digs to be her side’s MVP. 

What could be an important match in the bid to stay clear of trouble at the bottom end of the table saw Newcastle Knights strike a crucial blow, as they overcame Darkstar Derbyshire on Saturday. 

The hosts took the first set, but the East Midlanders levelled in impressive fashion, leaving the outcome up in the air. 

But it was the Knights who re-established control and their four-set triumph (25-23, 13-25, 25-19, 25-16) carries them to a 2-2 record and fifth place. 

Jenna Vaske was named MVP for the Knights with 12 kills and Renee Killough added another 10, while Lindsey Legg took the MVP honours for Darkstar with 24 successful serve receives and eight digs. 

DYNAMIK Men’s Super League  

Malory Eagles continue to set a frenetic pace at the top, making it six games unbeaten and consigning Essex Rebels to a second defeat of the season in the process. 

The set scores told a truer story than the overall straight sets match score (25-23, 27-25, 25-18) as Jefferson Williams’ side were pushed all the way in the first two before kicking on in the third. 

MVP for the victors was Ryan Dickson, with Ben Kouame making 12 kills and Nathan Fullerton 11. 

Euan Fraser completed five kills and made two blocks and three digs to get the MVP nod for the Rebels.  

Behind Malory, London Giants had a mixed weekend, most notably being beaten in a five-set thriller by Newcastle Knights on Sunday. 

Twice Sam Shenton’s side went a set in front only to be pegged back on each occasion by the visitors before eventually getting the job done in the decider (25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 17-25, 15-10). 

Home skipper Oliver Tuck served two aces had a service receive rating of 2.10 from 30 attempts, made 13 kills and five blocks, had four successful assists from five attempts and made four digs in a fine all-round game that earned him the MVP nomination. 

Diego Tamburini had made two blocks and four digs to get the MVP vote for Giants. 

Giants’ setback was after they had fought their way to victory at bottom-of-the-table Leeds Gorse (25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16), who continue to run their opponents close in matches while not being rewarded in terms of points. 

Vaidas Audickas was selected as MVP for Giants while Josh Cosgrove served one ace and completed 18 assists from 56 attempts to be Leeds’ MVP. 

The Knights, meanwhile, had also triumphed on Saturday, 25-16, 25-21, 25-23 over University of Nottingham, and are now up to third with games in hand. 

James Ledbury completed 11 kills with a hitting percentage of 0.421, a tally matched by teammate Tuck, while Rob Morgan responded with 10 kills for the Green and Golds.

Images by Evelyn Lee (_evelyn.pov) and Keeran Marquis (@kdp.sports)

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