Kilmarnock Blaze hosted the fifth JKM Invitational Tournament at St Joseph's Academy over the weekend. The build up to the tournament was hectic with several teams interested in participating but unable to field a strong enough squad to tackle Scottish Champions, City of Edinburgh and undefeated English Division 2 winners, Leeds Carnegie. Edinburgh Jets were to fill the final spot in the four team tournament but withdrew at the last minute, so the format changed to a three team double round robin.

Another development over the summer was the introduction of the "Wittenberg Tigers" Player of the Tournament Award. An old college friend of John Kurtz, Rob Rose, contacted the club and offered to make a contribution to the tournament in memory of his old friend. The club decided to name the Player of the Tournament Award after their college.

So to the games........

Game 1 - Kilmarnock Blaze 2 v 1 City of Edinburgh

(25-18, 23-25, 25-20)

The last time these two teams faced each other was in the Play-off Finals at the end of last season and there was several changes to both teams that started on Saturday. The Blaze had a fairly young squad and Martin McMullen was making his competitive debut as the first team libero. City of Edinburgh have lost several key players with Watt and McNab playing in France this season and McGuigan was on holiday. The Blaze started the stronger of the two teams and raced through the first set with Duncan and Edgar finding form early on. The second set swung backwards and forwards and Edinburgh eventually grabbed the initiative to win a close set. It was all to play for in the third set and the Blaze set about defending their title. McMullen passed well throughout the game and Giles used the right hitter at the right time, to secure an opening victory.

The face of concentration, watch the tongue!

Game 2 - Kilmarnock Blaze 2 v 1 Leeds Carnegie

(25-23, 25-20, 16-25)

The Blaze welcomed Callum Green back to Kilmarnock with his new team, Leeds Carnegie and he was the stand-out player for Leeds as he tried to stop Killie moving 2 & 0 for the tournament. The Blaze dominated the opening two sets with Stewart Caldwell hitting and blocking well through the middle. Coach Edgar has been working on changing the offence since training started back in mid-August and it is already starting to pay dividends. Giles ran a fast offence and Duncan and Edgar scored their share of points to secure a two set lead. In the final set, Leeds stepped up and Killie relaxed after establishing a 2-0 lead. Leeds secured a fairly comfortable 25-16 win which could have proved crucial in the overall tournament standings.

Euan Duncan hitting right side.

Game 3 - City of Edinburgh 1 v 2 Leeds Carnegie

(15-25, 13-25, 25-19)

Leeds continued from where they had left off against the Blaze and dominated the first two sets. Callum Green was in good form again and was ably supported by Leeds new American middle blocker. Edinburgh dug deep in the third set and out-fought their English counter-parts to win the third set.

Game 4 - Kilmarnock Blaze 2 v 1 Leeds Carnegie

(25-20, 20-25, 25-20)

Both teams took to the court knowing that the outcome of this match could play a huge part in deciding who would win the tournament. The Blaze started the better of the two teams due to a combination of strong serving and a solid first pass. After the Blaze won the first set, Leeds had no option but to attack. This worked in their favour and Killie found it difficult to compete with them towards the end of the set. Coach Edgar re-focused his players and the Blaze delivered a much more consistent performance in the final set. It was a good all round team performance which saw the Blaze beat Leeds for the second time over the weekend and virtually assure retaining the JKM.

Stewart Caldwell hitting a middle attack.

Game 5 - Kilmarnock Blaze 2 v 1 City of Edinburgh

(25-18, 25-8, 18-25)

With the tournament all but won, the Blaze demonstrated the level they are capable of playing at and they raced through the first two sets 25-18, 25-8. Duncan, Edgar and Hollis all played particularly well during the first two sets. The Killie team tired badly in the third set and that combined with already having the tournament won, saw them lose a one-sided final set.

Game 6 - City of Edinburgh 1 v 2 Leeds Carnegie

(23-25, 25-16, 16-25)

The final game of the tournament was competitive until the end. Leeds Carnegie again triumphed over a young and tiring Edinburgh side. This confirmed Leeds in second place and landed Edinburgh bottom of the group.

It was a great weekend of volleyball and the changes to the format actually produced six competitive matches. Blaze coach Stuart Edgar was extremely happy with how his young side played over the weekend and the changes he has started making to his sides style of play.

Blaze coach Stuart Edgar receiving the JKM Shield from Steve Scott.

The final award of the weekend was the "Wittenberg Tigers" Player of the Tournament. There was a few contenders for this new award- Callum Green of Leeds Carnegie, Stewart Caldwell of Kilmarnock Blaze and eventual winner Colin Giles of Kilmarnock Blaze.

Leeds & Scotland coach Simon Loftus presenting Colin Giles the MVP Quaich.

The fifth John Kurtz Memorial Invitational Tournament was a great success and we are already looking forward to next season's tournament!