The start of the season came too quickly for Kilmarnock with a few new faces playing but also some old ones too. We played Edinburgh II in our first game of the season.

The team started slow, but were able to hold on throughout the set, narrowly missing the first set. New blood, Gordon Tranyor was pinned down by the Edinburgh serve but as the game progressed the team saw a drastic improvement in his confidence and Grant Young was able to move his offence about winning the second set comfortably.

A tactical change from the Coach brought Brain Gaw into play in the off-setter slot, putting Angus Mitchell in the swing position. This broke down the passing unit, so both middles were brought into pass. Also new to the team, Calum Bryson was brought into pass and did effectively for a short time.

Down, but not out Kilmarnock mustered up a truly remarkable performance in the 4th set as veterans Gary McGuire and Steven Jackson brought very strong hitting and blocking to the game and allowed Kilmarnock to win the 4th set, taking the momentum into the last and crucial set. The last set went like a blur, with both teams trading points but mainly hitting errors from Kilmarnock aided Edinburgh to grow in confidence and win the game 3-2.

Calum Bryson

Kilmarnock Press Officer