The girls’ squad fought an admirable three-setter over the Sarnian side having made tremendous efforts to turn their fortunes, and their mental focus, around, having finished bottom of their group without a win.
Coach Paul Adamson said yesterday that it was the perfect way to end their week in Aland, and that he was really impressed with the team’s spirit.
He said: ‘It was an excellent game – they really deserved it. They absolutely thrashed Guernsey, and it’s a beautiful way to end the week for us. The girls have worked so hard – I know you say that about every island but I know how much time and commitment they have all put in, and to not get the results in some games has been really disheartening.
They know that they’ve been up there, but maybe it’s those little bits of finishing we need to work on. But to go out today and win they needed to get over that psychological barrier, and I know they didn’t want to finish last, so I think that really spurred them on.
‘They all realise the standard they’re up against, but they’ll take a lot away from it, and I’m sure it will really help them improve on the domestic front. It’s up to us now to look at how we can develop the team so that maybe we’ll be able to challenge a bit better in the Isle of Wight, and Bermuda, and beyond.’
Meanwhile yesterday morning the men’s volleyball team fought a good play-off against the Faroe Islands, claiming a well won set, but their luck wasn’t to last the match.
The Islanders had appeared to be heading for a disappointing day after they went a set down to the viking squad, losing 25-15, but they staged a valiant comeback to recoup four points in the second set and hold their opposition until 23-23, when Jersey ran away with the final two points.
Unfortunately, however, the Faroes fought back, and showed superior strength to nick the final two sets from the Jerseymen.
Adamson said: ‘The men have had a very respectable result, and I think by coming sixth we matched our result from Gotland, so we have definitely had a positive week. I think, though, against the Faroes, they were just too strong for us.
‘Often it’s the case in volleyball that the other team can lose it for a bit, even if they are the better side, but the Faroes fought back yesterday.’
