Volleyball Centre of Excellence
From the U15s to the Super8s squad, Richmond Volleyball stakes claim as the leading volleyball club in London
The Richmond Volleyball Men and Boys indoor division officially closed a historic season of success on 20 May when our champion Surrey League team finished with a silver medal in a gruelling and extremely competitive South England Volleyball Association tournament.
Richmond Docklands’ season came to an abrupt end when an unfortunate injury to Julian Marcon forced the forfeit of the play-off quarter final against old rivals Malory Eagles.
With only seven players available due to injuries and holidays, Richmond Docklands were forced into some positional changes. Panos Karagiannis made an assured debut as a setter and Joaquin Bello provided a solid platform from the Libero role. Meanwhile, Marcon switched back to outside hitter to partner captain Andrew Pink. All was going well up until 21-20 and the crowd were being treated to some good quality volleyball. Then disaster struck when Marcon and Pink went for the same ball, colliding in the air.
Richmond Docklands completed their regular season matches with an emphatic victory over old rivals Malory Eagles. Earlier in the season Malory had inflicted Richmond Docklands’ first defeat of the campaign in a one sided match in Kingston. But on this occasion it was Richmond Docklands who dominated proceedings.
Richmond Docklands were forced to rue missed opportunities as they attempted to do the double over Super8s champions IBB Polonia London. Luis Bello’s side had stunned Polonia on the opening day of the season with a dramatic five-set victory, giving Richmond Docklands’ a massive boost at the start of the season. But Polonia gained revenge in a hard fought encounter that so easily could’ve gone the other way.
Richmond Docklands completed their regular season Super8s home fixtures in front of a boisterous home crowd but despite a strong opening they could not secure a surprise victory over league leaders Team Northumbria.
