Pembroke teams dominate the scene

A series of exciting deciders recently brought the curtains down on all competitions in this season`s Malta Volleyball Association calendar.

With the champions in both the men`s and women`s First Division leagues known, the issues in the Second Division, especially in the men`s competition, were far from settled. The outcomes were only known after the very last ties were played.

The women`s volleyball scene saw the dominance of a strong Pembroke team prevailing over the rest. Their main challengers were Ace Diadora. However, a vital win in the second round direct clash paved the way for Pembroke to clinch the league title. They also won the National Cup and the Super Cup.

Pembroke were worthy champions, winning all 12 matches and conceding only five sets in the process. Their chief weapon this season was a strong team effort with players like J. Gagic, A. Borg, M. Falzon and M. Mizzi getting a big helping hand from the upcoming D. Bonnici and C. Sciberras.

P. Micallef Eynaud, I. Genova, A.M. Darmanin and N. Lanzon also played a big part in Ace`s challenge to Pembroke. However, the team needed that little extra effort to topple the champions from their perch.

At the other end of the table, it was another fight between Playvolley and Kerygma. They finished on equal points but the latter easily won the decider to retain their top division status.

Pembroke were made to fight harder than expected to retain their men`s league title. They conceded 13 sets to their opponents this season... more than what was expected of them although it must be said that Pembroke rarely fielded their strongest team.

Throughout the campaign, only B. Vlahovic, G. Cachia, B. Bartolo, P. Felice Pace and K. Mercieca played regularly for the champions and the absence of the other players was a valuable advantage to their opponents.

The other three teams, FDL, Ace and Aloysians, were involved in a tussle for the runners-up spot.

In the end, Fleur-de-Lys just managed to pip Ace to the second spot in the standings. Aloysians were relegated.

P. Vella had a fine season for Fleur-de-Lys while Ace`s player/coach D. Caruana also had a remarkable term for his team.

There was more balance in the second division championships.

Here, the men`s league had to be decided after a mini-tournament involving San Anton, Kerygma and Aloysians who all finished on equal points at the end of the regular season.

Kerygma were the ones to come out on top in the promotion play-offs. The players who left their mark for Kerygma were D. Barbaro Sant, D. Mallia, C. Ellul, A. Stivala and K. Meilaq Brunetti.

Other players leaving a good impression were A. Gusman, A. Vella and R. Borg of San Anton, FDL`s P. Tonna and D. Bonnici, C. Gatt. A. Gatt and M. Azzopardi for Ace.

The women`s second division championship was won by Pembroke`s second team who were pushed all the way by Ace, Playvolley and FDL. However, at the end, Pembroke`s experience made the difference with S. El Gasi doing her job well as setter to guide her team to the top placing.

Flyers` comeback

There was a record number of teams in the association`s junior competitions this season. The U-16 and U-19 leagues got underway late in September.

Six teams - Ace Diadora, Aloysians, FDL Hallmark, Kerygma Casa Modena, Pembroke and San Anton contested the U-19 men`s league while eight teams - Ace, FDL, Flyers, Kerygma, Playvolley, San Anton and two Pembroke teams - contested the women`s category.

Ace won the U-19 men`s title in a convincing way while the women`s honour went to Flyers after a great second-round comeback.

There were 10 teams involved in the two U-16 competitions. Kerygma Casa Modena won all their boys` encounters to finish on top. This feat was emulated by Flyers who claimed the girls` title.

There was a record number of teams as well in the U-14 competitions - 13 female and five male.

Flyers won the girls` title by a mere point over Kerygma but it was more comfortable for the FDL boys who won 11 of their 12 matches.