11 Mar 2024
Super League round 15 review: Battle for survival going to the wire
On Saturday, Leeds Gorse lifted themselves out of the bottom three for the first time since the autumn after beating Stockport 3-1 with a 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 27-25 victory.
Dan Thompson inspired Gorse with a MVP performance as Haydn Lawson was voted as Stockport’s key man.
But, before the weekend was out, the West Yorkshire club were back in the relegation play-off spot after Team Sunderland beat fellow strugglers Newcastle Staffs 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21) to climb out of the drop zone themselves.
Noah Sykes was nominated as Sunderland’s MVP, while Elliott Francis was selected for the visitors.
Now, with Leeds having just two games remaining and Sunderland and Staffs three each, it will be a shoot-out between those teams to see who can stay in the top flight.
A key game will be the Staffs versus Leeds game on Saturday 6th April – both sides’ last of the season – which will make for a nerve-jangling finale.
Elsewhere, three teams on the brink of qualification for the Final Four confirmed their slots in the end-of-season play-off games to decide who will finish as overall champions.
As IBB Polonia completed their 13th win of the season, it, at the same time, ended Richmond Docklands’ outside hopes of a Final 4 berth.
The league leaders’ confident 3-1 success (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-21) means they are still unbeaten at home this season.
George Ivanov was elected as his side’s MVP, while Joao Alves got the vote for Docklands.
Richmond’s loss means Durham Palatinates, Malory Eagles and Essex Rebels are now all guaranteed their top four slots after all enjoyed at least one win over the weekend.
Second-placed Durham continued their excellent late-season form as they were 3-1 winners (25-6, 25-8, 23-25, 25-18) over Stockport on Sunday, completing a miserable weekend on the road for the Cheshire club.
Brad Peters was chosen as MVP for the Palatinates, while Lawson took the honours for the losing side for the second game running.
Just a point behind them in third are Malory, who were impressive 3-0 victors in London over the University of Nottingham (25-13, 25-21, 25-21).
Cameron Carrington (three aces, 12 kills, three blocks, three digs) was MVP for the home side and Slater Bird (10 out of 11 successful receipts of serve, eight kills, six digs) for the visitors.
The last of the triumvirate to extend their season was the Rebels, who were 3-1 victors at Newcastle Staffs after a tight contest (23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24).
Thomas Shatimehin was awarded Essex’s MVP, with Francis getting his second award of the weekend for Castle.
Castle’s double weekend defeat means they have now dropped to the bottom of the pile, but can still save themselves with a strong end to the campaign.
Essex also took on Polonia on Sunday in a rematch of the National Cup semi-final, which the hosts had previously won, in Colchester.
This time, however, it was IBB who came out on top of a five-set thriller, fighting off a Rebels comeback to win 25-20, 26-24, 21-25, 17-25, 15-13.
Dahmane Bentiti was picked out as Polonia’s MVP and Lefteris Ioannou got the nod for the hosts.
In the MAAREE Women’s Super League, the Final 4 places had already been decided, but the battle to finish top, and secure seedings is still on.
Team Sideout Polonia currently head that particular race, aided by double victory over the weekend, which means they are currently two points clear at the summit.
First, on Saturday, they were 3-0 victors (25-16, 25-14, 25-11) over bottom-of-the-table London Lionhearts, whose only hope of survival in the top division is by clinching ninth place and going into the relegation/promotion play-off.
Polonia’s Merve Akin was her side’s MVP and Lionhearts’ key performer was Elena Visilean.
Sunday saw another victory for the London side, but this was a far closer match, dropping the first set before seeing off the challenge of Essex Rebels in four (23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-14).
Malory Eagles occupy second spot in the table after they, like their men’s side, were victorious over the University of Nottingham.
After the visitors made a strong start to nick the opener, the Eagles were in control from then on to power to a 29-31, 25-9, 25-14, 25-20 success.
Eileen Shi took the MVP honours for the hosts and Emma Godwin for the Green and Golds.
After being top for much of the season, Durham Palatinates are now third, but could soon rectify that should they win their games in hand.
This weekend, their one match on Sunday saw them cruise to a straight sets triumph at home to Coventry and Warwick Riga (25-12, 25-17, 25-14).
Taylor Litteken (nine kills, three blocks, two digs) secured MVP for the Palatinates and Katarina Knezevic (one ace, 11 of 12 successful receives of serve, four kills, four digs) for Riga.
It was a disappointing two days all round for the West Midlanders, who were also beaten 3-0 on the road at a rejuvenated Leeds Gorse (25-19, 25-21, 25-22).
Molly Van Essen was MVP for the winners and Knezevic again getting the vote for Coventry.
After Saturday defeat, UON fared better when they visited Cambridge ARU on Sunday, securing a determined 26-24, 25-23, 25-19 triumph in a compelling contest that was closer than the 3-0 scoreline suggested.
Sandra Korusiewicz was MVP for the victors with one ace, 19 out of 19 service receipts, 13 kills, two blocks and four digs.
Julia Pallamin was picked out for ARU after a fine all-round performance that saw her serve five aces, make six service returns from six attempts, 13 kills, two blocks and four digs.
Cambridge could at least take solace from the fact they had already registered victory on Saturday, defeating Darkstar Derbyshire in straight sets (25-20, 25-12, 25-19).
Setter Krystalynn Leomiti helped her side to the win with an MVP performance that saw her serve one ace, make three kills and four digs and complete 20 of 63 assist attempts.
Hajar El Alouani (two aces, 19 of 21 successful service return attempts, 15 kills, and 19 digs) took the honours for Darkstar.
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