Two exciting 5-set matches took place this Saturday, where Hornets Ladies faced Jets III in the Scottish Plate Qualifiers, and Hornets Men had drawn Lenzie again.
The girls started off consistently, with strong hits through both front court and back court middle by newly acquired talent Karen Grossard, good blocks and hits by Mel Dunsmore, precise setting by Jean Bruce and Shirley Miller, and strong defense by Susanne MacKay. However, Jets were that one step ahead through both of the first two sets, and with 0-2 behind, Hornets still kept their spirits up. For the third set, Sandra Bain came on for routinier Evelyn Halley to hit through 4, and with extremely consistent, hard to counter serves, and clever hits and tips, Hornets came back to a 2-2 after the fourth set. The tie-break was closely fought, but in the end, Jets' experience allowed them to take the few points needed to win the set, and the match.
The men's team faced Lenzie again after having beat them in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Missing two of their outside hitters, the team had to reshuffle, and recruit retiree Pete Carruthers to set, while customary setter Rodger Baillie transferred to outside hitter. Yet, after some initial insecurities the team perked up and took the first set with a comfortable 25-16. Lenzie gathered their wits in the second set, but in an effort of will, injured middle hitter Andy Ponton gritted his teeth and with encouragement all around, strong back court defense by Kenneth MacKenzie and and unconventional football tricks by Mark O'Hagan, the team won the third set, and set out to sail the ship home in the fourth. However, Lenzie were not to be that easily discouraged and came back strong with a 25-17 win of the fourth set, which took the second match of the day into yet another tie-break. Finally, with points going back and fourth, middle hitter Martin Beaton used a perfect set by Pete Carruthers and spiked the ball down to a 15-13 win of set and match.

Comments by the coach:

Big Pete Carruthers, to come in at short notice (8:45pm the night before), pull out a blistering game, even make me look good through 4 is no mean feat!.