Actually it should have been my lazy Sunday, but I literally had to drag myself out of bed at 10.50 am on a Sunday morning! Namely, Sunday 1^st of March 2009. At 11.35 I was finally ready to venture out into the world – more specifically to the QMC to see, admittedly through really small eyes, our men’s A team play.

Short excerpt Ladies’ match: After having played there myself the previous Wednesday (with some of the Wednesday’s Club night players as spectators and cheer leaders) against Newbury Ladies (FYI: we won both sets of which the first was a really close call due to an apparently very nervous chicks’ team) I realized how much fun it was to have people watch you and cheer you on.

Back to the men’s match: That’s when I thought of playing the game and going to cheer on the men, which actually is a tough job in this country. If it had been up to me I would have made such a noise that even in China they would have know that Basingstoke were playing that day. But unfortunately, here in the UK you get a disdainful look from the 2^nd ref. for shouting Basingstoke, clapping you hands in tune (which in my case is admittedly out of tune) and repeating this ritual 5 times. That was simply too much for the poor guy and he hushed me! So much to the cheering on, but I also went there to take some pictures and maybe write a match report (which at that point I was really eager to do after having realized that both our men’s teams had been as busy as little bees producing them this season – amounts of Men’s A and Bandit’s (men’s B) match reports: Only one, and that was a joint effort!

Basingstoke against Maidenhead

Another reason for me being there was to see the infamous Maidenhead, who I believed to be Basingstoke men’s most fierce competitors this season. And of course I was eager to see their Argentinian hitter who at times was rumoured to be seen jumping right up to the sky. Oh well, the more intimate reason being that if you put me close to a Spanish speaking guy my heart and body go straight into melt down – ay caramba).

To my utter disappointment no Argentinian, thus I needed to find consolation in what our own men’s team had to offer eye candy and nationality wise. And I can assure you there is nothing to be disappointed about. First and foremost we got some yummy English men like Andrew M. (recently turned 29 and so lovely that he’s been already snatched away from us other females’ reach by his wife Elise), Marc Richardson (commenting on his level of scrumptiousness would only make me appear a philanderess so I better not go there), Colin and Steve (if only I were ten year’s older…), Rob (earlobes are big this Volleyball-fashion-season and should be part of every Volleyball player’s must-have-sexy-accessory list). Then we got ourselves an adorable Polish guy, Kamil (oh dear, see him hit brings the eruption of a volcano to mind), Slovakian exports like Peter C. (thighs made of steel, by the look of it) and Martin B. (after having been forced to look at his belly, I can only say he is all yours Lenka, still I got to admit lovely – if not hairy – legs). And last but not least: Hunter “who” Wu – I don’t want to go on a limb, but I think it’s save to say that there is definitely an Asian theme going on there and Mr. India Senthil (when he told me about his work as Biologist and on the Tsetse fly I was smitten straight away). Ah, where was I? Of course, I wanted to tell you about the actual match play. Sorry, but after having been exposed to so many pheromones I got a bit sidetracked. Sorry!

Well during the first set the infamous Maidenhead quickly turned into a group of lost boy scouts by the look of it as it ended in a devastating 9:25 blow for them. No chance whatsoever against our hammer hitters Martin, Kamile and Marc, super setter Senthil, Steve – libero in his own right , Mr. Mant (proven and tested NVL player), Rob (consistently strong player and experienced team captain). The second set was a bit less exiting to watch as our men lost it a bit but still managed to come out on top (25:17) in the end maybe due to a fresh blood injection in the ways of Peter switching in for Rob, Hunter for Kamil and Colin for Andrew.

Basingstoke against Oxford

That match was seriously thrilling to watch. Oxford proved to be a really strong team and I’ve never seen such fighting power and will to win in both teams before. First the scores went up for Oxford (they called their time out at 16:21). But then Basingstoke battled their selves back into the game and the two teams were lying level on points. When the scores were at 23:23 I got so exited that in the end I started taking pictures of the score board at 27:27 then 28:29. Unfortunately the set ended at 28:30 for Oxford. 

At first the second set was quite balanced until the scores were at 10:9, then our boys took off and finished with a belting 25:17. The third set ended with 15:11 at 2.50 pm.

Verdict: I didn’t regret having had to drag myself out of my bed at all. Now I fully grasp why our guys have been amongst the top teams of this Berkshire league season (only really challenged by Maidenhead – if even…). Unfortunately there are no more home matches, but I can assure you I will be ready for (watching) action next season – so should you!

(Please also see photo gallery for pictures)

I was at the Aldershot Garrison’s sports hall on Sunday, 22^nd of February 2009 and it was exactly at 11.06 am when I felt genuinely touched, felt pure spiritual elation and for split seconds was disconnected from earth, disconnected from the world around me, almost soared up to meet my astral body to contemplate the world from out of another universe – or so it seemed. Some of the gentle readers might suspect now that I had met Tom Welling (for the less knowledgeable people: plays the Superman character in the Smallville series) and that he had proposed to me. I must say that would explain a lot, but unfortunately he not only plays Superman but has also been super-married for ages. But that is all water under the bridge now as after endless nights and days of producing piles of from tears (and maybe a bit of snot) wetted handkerchiefs I had to face reality and had to accept the fact that he never will be mine.

Flashback to Loddon Valley, 2^nd of February 2009

After the BVC’s mixed team “Basingstoke Mixed” (one of the two of Basingstoke’s mixed teams) had won both matches against “Spikeopaths Mixed 1” and “Farnborough Lions” on the historical date 25^th of January 2009 at QMC, we received a minor devastating blow at Loddon Valley where we played “Newbury Mixed” (17:25, 17:25) and “Spikeopaths Mixed 2” (15:25, 21:25). However, it should be mentioned that we had 3 injured (out of 7 players of which one was only able to play as libero due to injury) players who I admire for their sportsman- and sportswomanship and really want to thank for their team spirit (Vicky: ankle, Peter: shoulder, Martin: elbow). Other players that day were Gerda (oh dear, I played s*** – can’t even think of an excuse), Andy B (surprisingly collected appearance - very special thanks to Hannah for allowing the lion out of his den although he had already committed to stay in but then volunteered to play due to lack of players) and Peter H. (seriously, I don’t know how he does it but he gets the weirdest balls which I already consider to be lost/unreachable, hopefully we don’t see him flying through a window one of these days in pursuits of those balls). And special thanks to Tony, Colin and Mike, who responded to my feverish quest for players but due to the course of nature (bloody snow), a long term commitment and unfortunate circumstances couldn’t play in the end.

Aldershot Garrison 22^nd of February: We will, we will rock you!

But Loddon Valley is all water under the bridge now as we genuinely rocked the court on the 22^nd. We (Basingstoke “Mixed”) played our brothers and sisters from “All Mixed Up” (and I still can’t entirely grasp it WON: 25:22 and 25:20) and the “Farnborough Lions” (Unfortunately the score sheet vanished but I can tell you that we won both sets, the second one being a really close call at 23:25).

Players BVC’s “Mixed” team: Michelle (special guest star setter to who I will always be indebted for playing with us that Sunday. Forever in this case means 1 year’s free subscription of toe nail painting, nose hair clipping and making nasty phone calls to people you don’t like Michelle), Martin Bendzak (The opponents don’t even dare mention his name but only talk about the player number 52. I usually play next to Martin and thus am witness to their horrified whispers coming from the other side of the net: “Watch out for 52”, “block 52”, it goes 52 this and 52 that), Shelly (continuously strong performance (but please get the heck off my balls!)), Peter C. (Alternatively playing position 4/middle and making that look so effortlessly easy, which in the end earned him the “player of the match” title. Andy B. (always looking the picture of authority when ref’ing. In such a way inspired I promise to ref at least one game this season – maybe not – but I promise I will at least aspire to do so), Gerda (actually managed to do two over arm serves) and Martin Bastik (super off-hitter – apart from that can’t comment much more affectionately on him as his wife Paula might be reading this match report).

“All Mixed Up” team: Rob (Mr. Sunshine appeared to be a bit grumpy. Suspicion, suspicion: Could he have been hung over?), Carly (no chance against Martin on the net), Dan (maybe a bit less Zambuka on a Saturday night right before a Sunday’s match next time, don’t ya think?), Vicky (I must say, she always looks lovely, even if it is from the other side of the net ;-) ), Andy C. (rumour has it that he was slightly hung over as well, but I must say that his ref’ing was faultless), Martin (sorry don’t really know you but I noted that you always look amicably and friendly which is fair enough for me) and Sharon (ditto).

Conclusion: In my match report from 26^th of October 2008 I talked about the BVC mixed teams’ yin and yang of that day. This time, I can only say that I was really happy that the mojo “yin-yanged” in the “Mixed” and not the “All Mixed Up” team’s direction! Thanks team!

It was about 2.20 pm, after the mixed matches against Farnborough Lions and Spikeopaths 1 on the 25^th of January 2009 at QMC. How can you describe it? We felt inspired, tired but satisfied – the sort of satisfaction you get from having finally resolved a very tricky, difficult, demanding task. We had won both matches. So far, playing in the Basingstoke mixed team had been in the true meaning of the word a mixed blessing due to a continuous series of lost matches and the slight undercurrent displeasure about the inability to sometimes successfully function as a team on court. Those players amongst our team’s squad who don’t feel this way and just enjoy playing for the fun of it may forgive my blunt and rudeness and please keep on enjoying the mixed team experience no matter what! Before this remarkable Sunday we only had won one match on 22^nd of December 2008 (special thanks to Frances and Andy) who prove that in the end there is no “Mixed” or “All Mixed Up” but only one Basingstoke.

Players list – Créme de la Créme

What can you say as team captain, except thank you to the team, which consisted of Andy B., who has recently been falling in love with the off-setter position, aka brother of wrath (one muses if he ever will be able to keep his bad temper in check?), Superwoman (C.-Woman)  ,G.P. (at last her rude language made everyone laugh – even the English women and –men amongst the players), Vicky (woman with the fighting will and heart of a lioness), Jo (calm, cool and collected unless the team falls apart on court, then there is nothing else to do than pray for god to have mercy, Peter C. (Dear Slovakia, thanks for having sent this very decent player to Basingstoke) and Martin Bendzak (aka “Martin, The Great”, who won’t ever be allowed to play middle again as he showed that he can do much more damage to the opposing team playing from 4). And one lesson learnt: I will never again use Martin B. as abbreviation in my respective match player’s confirmation email. As another Martin B, whose team spirit I can only admire, who quite surprisingly and apparently being a bit tired due to his recent return from a skiing holiday showed up on Sunday as well (My secret confession sparked by his commitment once and for all being made public here: Martin, I hope you know that if it weren’t for your lovely wife I would have already asked you to marry me a long time ago!)

Matches against Farnborough Lions and Spikeopaths 1

First we played the Farnborough Lions at 25:13 and 25:22. The second set went a bit slow, it was quite a struggle as we seemed to have been given a led injection, generally committed many inherent mistakes, almost faced a break down, but finally managed to push through. Team: “Miss G” and Peter (4), Jo and Vicky alternatively playing as setters, off-setter Andy B., Martin and Superwoman (middle).

For the second match we were up against the Spikeopaths 1. One must openly admit that they were a strong team but unfortunate for them they had only managed to get hold of five players so that they had to play with a so called “phantom player” who is in reality the name for an unmanned/unwomaned position and who we dearly nicknamed Jo or was is Jim? – never mind. For those who haven’t had the joy to come across a phantom player so far: Whenever the phantom player is due to serve one point and the serve is automatically awarded to the opposing team. We had to see Superwoman off after the first set (lost at 21:25), which meant restructuring the whole team in the way of Andy B. switching from off-setting to middle, Mr. Menace Bendzak switching from middle to 4, Jo and Vicky now both on court as setters and Peter switching from position 4 to middle play.

B****y amazing tactics! We won 25:18 and 15:13. Although I’m honest enough to state here and now that it actually wasn’t my idea.

With no little pride and with all due respect may I state here that we once more were the rudest team on court, our underlying aggressiveness and undisciplined way of some players directly complaining to ref’s about their crap decisions instead of voicing their displeasure to the team’s captain showed our untamed spirit and clearly displayed the passion we feel for this sports (let’s just pretend it is the passion and not just bad manners). Well done team! But next time please, please leave me to the ref complaints. Thanks!

Prologue:

Some might have doubted the team captain’s (Yes, I’m talking about Elise here – and why don’t you just get it: she is married) strategy to treat Basingstoke’s ladies to a Sunday roast right before such important matches were to be played against Newbury and Spikeos at Bradfield College on Sunday, the 14^th of December 2008. Please mark your diaries, because this match day would be a historic moment in the epic journey of BVC chick’s mediocrity of past seasons. Don’t get me wrong. There is really nothing wrong with mediocrity, but winning is just so much better! More of that later!

Of course the BVC ladies’ Christmas lunch was not only about overindulging but of course about tactics as well (I know a fat Sunday roast and the fifth pint of coke can’t be healthy, especially when you’re past the blossom of your youth, but what can I do, I’m only human, on top of that, female). Well, not exactly about court tactics. Would you have really thought eight women don’t talk about other things? As a non-native speaker I’m always pleased to enhance my English vocabulary. The word I learned this day was just impressive: to “f*******e. Oh, I almost forgot, and of course very special thanks to Shelly for having informed us about the horrible occurrences currently going on at the Canadian parliament! Excellent dinner conversation, thanks - NOT!

After having done some further female-team-bonding in a garden centre (who would have thought you could find such lovely hats and even part of a fancy dress disguise in a garden centre) we finally managed to appear on court of Bradfield College’s sports hall.

Basingstoke against Newbury

Much was at stake. A very determined team consisting of Tracy player from position 4 (I really don’t know where her nickname “Lazy-Tracy” stems from, surely not from her consistently strong performance on court), Elise (unbeatable setter and serverette), Michelle (playing as if there was no tomorrow and most honourably having ditched her NVL game just to play with us), Shelly (her serve and net performance just grow stronger and stronger each match), Jo (oh baby […] hit it one more time) and Carly (her warm up play with the men’s B team made her just unbeatable at the ladies’) set out to give it their all. Good start, good play, yet poor communication on court, consequently, first set lost 13:25. Second set: We arose like a phoenix from the ashes and just like that excellent play, excellent team spirit and support - set done and dusted at 25:18. Third set: Sheer excitement, sheer team cohesion, the will to fight and excellent encouragement from Gerda (no one can shout with more enthusiasm, if I may say so!), Vicky (an accomplished lady, but hey be careful when she’s let loose cheering on her team) and very welcome male support from Dan (If only I were 10 - alright, alright - 15 years younger…) led to a glorious match victory at the scores of 15:13.

Basingstoke against Spikeos

What can you say we were let loose. Hungry to contribute their equal share of greatness to the victorious day Vicky (setting and playing her heart out – you could tell by her rosy cheeks that she was on it like a house on fire) and Gerda (quick on the eye and quick on the net to hit into the Spikeos’ formation holes – if I may say so) teamed up with Carly (see above), Elise (see above), Michelle (see above) and Tracy (see above). We won 25:16 and 25:21. It was just great and we were all on a high after that match day. And that high felt so much better than some of the “f***********s” ones I was witness to.

As this was our last match before Christmas some pensiveness shall be allowed at this stage: Within the ladies team I immensely enjoy the sense of solidarity and the sense of achieving something together as a group and hope we will continue doing so (achieving and winning) for the rest of the season!