Kilmarnock Blaze travelled to the capital this week to play current league champions City Of Edinburgh.  After the loss to Glasgow Mets last week, The Blaze were wanting to get back to their winning ways, on the other hand Edinburgh were coming off the back of a 3-0 win against City Of Glasgow Ragazzi.

Both teams started strongly in the first set, and points traded throughout.  Stewart Caldwell continued his recent run of form with some powerful hitting through the middle, and captain Gordon Welsh was leading by example with some one the money passing.  The Blaze were all together stronger than the last game against Mets, however the defending champions kept the score close throughout, and managed to secure a lead going into the end of the set.  Killie saved two set points but the third proved one too many, as Edinburgh won the set 26-24.

The Blaze started slowly in the second set after the encouraging start.  They lacked the same intensity as the first set and by the time they brought their level back up, they were 16-10 down.  Although Killie ended up losing the set, 25-18, Colin Giles put in a strong run of jump serves in at the end to give his team some momentum going into the next set.

Kilmarnock started the third set much the stronger.  Colin Giles setting was spot on and was making it easy for Stuart Edgar and Euan Duncan to hit consistent winning shots.  Killie were showing their best form and took a big lead in the set, and although Edinburgh applied pressure, they never got back into contention, and lost 25-15.

Killie got off to the better start in the fourth set and took an early lead.  However Edinburgh fought back and took the lead with two long runs of serves.  The Blaze could never bring back the deficit and lost the set 25-17, and the match 3-1. 

Elsewhere Kilmarnock II beat Polonia Jets 5-0 to keep up their good start to the season.

Kilmarnock Blaze would like to welcome anyone interested to their recreational volleyball sessions, Thursday evenings from 7-8 at St Josephs Academy, £2 per person, no previous experience needed.

Stewart Caldwell

KVC Press Officer