YORK bounced back from a 3-0 defeat by Darkstar Derbyshire with a 3-0 victory over Ashfield Vipers in the National Volleyball League women’s division three north.

York shot straight out of the blocks against Darkstar, with hard serving from Laura Robson, captain Justyna Wilner and Patrycja Kirsz putting them in a commanding 13-5 lead.

Cristina Galvez was York’s highest scorer, making her presence felt through the middle, as they moved 18-11 ahead, but the leaders hit back to win the set 25-22.

York fell 5-0 behind in the second set, forcing coach Mike Turner to call a time-out. York responded through the serve of Ana Halangau, but Darkstar took the set 25-15.

It was a different story in the third set, with Gabi Pecovska taking on setting duties for York.

Pecovska opened up a 10-7 lead with her float serve and York’s new Spanish signing, Paula Coloma, along with libero Marzena Makowska, York’s most valuable player, stopped Darkstar getting any easy points.

With Coloma at the service line, York scored five unanswered points, putting them 19-12 ahead, but Darkstar mounted a comeback to snatch the set 26-24.

The Ashfield Vipers, from Mansfield, were an unknown quantity, but York won a tight opening set 25-23 and took the second 25-20 before running away with the third set 25-17.

Top scorer for York was middle player Laura Robson, who contributed five kills, three block points and two aces.

The most valuable player award went to York captain Wilner, for her strong serving and good ball distribution.

The win over the Vipers moved York up into seventh place in the table with games in hand on their rivals.

York women’s team play Haughton Darlington & Manchester Marvels 2 in Darlington on Sunday, February 8.

The city’s men’s team play their next National League matches at Darlington tomorrow against Haughton and leaders Team Durham.

On Saturday, January 31, they face higher league opposition Nottingham Rockets 1 in the quarter-finals of the National Shield at Joseph Rowntree School.

York’s other four senior teams had mixed results.

An injury-hit men’s second team, the York Kings, were beaten 3-0 by Heyva All Stars in the Yorkshire Premier League.

York Zumbas, the women’s second team, also lost 3-0 by the All Stars in the Yorkshire Premier League.

The men’s third team, York Lions, lost in the West Yorkshire Cup against Barnsley Braves 2, but the women’s third team, York Wolves, recorded a 3-1 win over Barnsley Scorpions 2 in Yorkshire Division One.

The club are always on the lookout for players. For more information, visit www.yorkvolleyball.org.uk or phone Mike Turner on 07712 180463.