69 mins
NVL Newcomers 26-27 part 10 - Cambridge 3
Club Founded: 1984
Social Media: @cambridgevc1 (Instagram)
Website: Cambridge Volleyball Club
Head Coach: Andres Suarez
What started in 1984 as a joint venture between a local men’s fitness group and women’s exercise class has grown into a multi-team community with a juniors’ pathway programme - and is now known as Cambridge Volleyball Club (CVC).
While Cambridge’s third women’s team are newcomers to the NVL - alongside Nuneaton Flames - the core squad has migrated from their county level team, the CVC Tigers.
The Tigers have climbed their way through the places in the Eastern Region Series, taking home the title last season and prompting head coach Andres Suarez to assemble an NVL level team out of their championship squad.
“Previously, there was no clear intermediate step between our county-level teams and our established NVL Division 2 and Division 1 sides,” he said.
“Creating Cambridge 3 provides that missing link, giving our developing players and other talented players from across the region, the opportunity to begin their NVL journey and progress towards higher levels of national competition.”
Although the third team's foray into the NVL is just getting started, Cambridge’s experience on the national stage is well documented - their first team found themselves in a race for the Division 1 North title and promotion back to the MAAREE Women's Super League, but the University of Nottingham proved to be runaway champions.
Not only that, but their second team were high flyers in NVL Division 2 East and also had the honour of winning the National Shield, beating Reading Aces 3-1 in the final (pictured below).
Cambridge 3's aims, meanwhile, are to provide a clearer pathway for their community of junior players to work their way up the NVL ladder.
“The most exciting part of building this team is completing the club’s player pathway.” said Andres.
“When building a new team, we look not only for technical ability but also commitment, a willingness to learn and the right team mentality.”
“We want to create a competitive environment in which players challenge one another, develop together and feel proud to represent Cambridge.”
Cambridge’s pursuit of development doesn’t mean they’re willing to give up their winning ways, and have their eyes on the top of the table across all their teams.
Andres added: “We are dreaming of a historic season in which all three teams achieve promotion, but our focus combines performance with long-term player development.
"We want Cambridge 3 to be competitive from the outset while preparing players to progress into our higher-division teams.”
Cambridge believe two players from their Tigers squad will really help kickstart the team’s journey into the NVL.
Monika Krzak plays as an outside hitter and was a key part of the Tigers’ road to the championship, and with experience in the NVL acts as a leader for the Division 3 squad.
Carole Bouvier returns to the team as a setter after a short break. She was a key part of the second team’s promotion and she will look to repeat her successes with the third team.
Away from the NVL, Cambridge have continued to stage their nationally-supported an annual grass tournament with Shelford Rugby Club, where over 70 6v6 teams entered this summer.
The club has also begun an exciting partnership with Deep Dish Beach Volleyball to give their members more opportunities to experience beach volleyball, as well as giving their members special rates for Deep Dish’s international camps.
But perhaps Cambridge’s biggest success away from senior competition is their junior programme, with over 100 young players across different groups and categories, making it one of the biggest in the region.
“Developing junior talent is a major part of the club’s identity and helps create a strong pathway into senior and national-level volleyball.” said Andres.
Cambridge 3 kick off their journey against fellow rookies Nuneaton Flames before facing Northampton 2 on 11th October 2026.
You can keep up to date with the NVL here.
