Junior Girls National Competitions

Champions of England

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Category: Junior Girls National Competitions

Published on Monday, 16 May 2011 05:59

Written by Freda Bussey

Ashcombe Under 15 girls beat all opposition to take the Under 15 National girls title. The team had to travel to Thorns College, West Bromwich and play 5 matches to take the title. Pool matches v North Riding [Yorkshire] Henrietta Barnett School [ London] and Redhill [Stourbridge] were all won 2-0 with powerful serving from Isi Liebchen and Taina Bedeschi being the key to the success. Captain Sophie Szyszko defended and set steadily and led with confidence. Accurate passing from all players, especially Libero Katie Gibson meant the young Ashcombe side were kept in rallies for longer and the tall powerful blocking of Paige Fullerton and Rosanna O'Mahoney was able to snuff out many of the opposition attack options. Coach Freda Bussey was able to use all players giving some court time to Katy Begley and Tia Ham [both 13] and Elisa Hill and Emily Rogers [both 14]

The semi final was against Boswells [Essex] and Ashcombe's success was never in doubt taking the game 25-10, 25-11. Redhill beat Tameside [Manchester] 2-1 in the second semi final so a rematch from the pool game was set up. Redhill started well but determined play by the Ashcombe side, particularly setters Beth Gunter and Sophie Szyszko, kept Ashcombe's spirits high and they closed the first set out 25-22. Redhill took the second set 25-20 by putting Ashcombe's serve receive under pressure Ashcombe were unable to respond. The final set was dominated by serve. Redhill stormed into a 5-0 lead and then Isi Liebchen hit a powerful cross court spike to give her service. Liebchen took the ball back to serve and took eleven points, many of them with direct aces. At 12-5 Ashcombe could then play with flair and confidence and the game was finished with an accurate back court attack by Sophie Szyszko.

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