TWIN wins propelled York into joint second place in National Volleyball League Women’s division three north.

York extended their winning streak to five matches with a 3-2 success against Wirral Wasps and a 3-1 victory over Manchester Marvels 2.

The squad was depleted by work commitments, injuries and illnesses, with only eight of their 12 squad players available.

In the first set against Wirral, good serving from Laura Robson and Patrycja Kirsz took York into a 9-4 lead.

Wirral fought back to within one point at 11-10 before York pulled away to a comfortable 18-10 lead, thanks to good serving from Paula Coloma.

Any hopes of a Wirral comeback were slapped down as York’s other outside hitter Kirsz fired down four more serves to wrap up the set 25-17.

Wirral came out fighting in the second set and jumped into a commanding 12-4 lead. Rather than fold, York tightened up their game and went on a 14-3 streak to take an 18-15 lead, with outside hitter Ana Halangau finding success.

At 22-22, a York substitution backfired and Wirral snatched the set 25-22. Wirral carried the momentum into the third set, taking a 12-6 lead.

York were unable to get back in to the game and Wirral pulled away to a comfortable 22-12 lead.

York finished the set with a run of points, losing 25-19, to give them hope for the fourth set.

York rested Kirsz, with Halangau and Coloma playing through the left side on front court. Middle attacker Robson had success on her serve to put York into a 9-5 lead.

Every point was fought for ferociously and there was some great defence from both teams, with the York defensive libero, Marzena Makowska, picking up the most valuable player award with some amazing saves.

York maintained their three-point lead up to 18-15, when Coloma came round to serve. A run of accurate serves opened up a seven-point lead, allowing York to cruise to a 25-21 set victory.

The momentum was now in York’s favour and they got away to an excellent start thanks to Gabi Pecovska’s float serve, which put them into a 7-3 lead.

Wirral got back to within one point at 11-10, but York held their nerve and Coloma proved her worth by serving four times to win the set 15-11.

York’s second game was against bottom team Manchester Marvels. Some tough serving from Halangau pushed York into a 10-6 lead.

Another six points on Pecovska’s serve, with middle blocker Robson cleaning up everything on front court, took the set 25-20.

The second set saw York’s level drop as fatigue kicked in. The Marvels opened up a four-point lead which they maintained up to 18-14.

York pulled back to 18-17 but Manchester restored their four-point advantage at 21-17, before the game swung back to York with seven serves from Coloma closing it out at 25-22.

At 24-20 down the next set appeared lost but Halangau saved four set points, forcing Manchester to call a time-out at 24-24. The time-out had the desired effect, as Manchester won 26-24.

York had to dig deep in the fourth set. Valuable points from the serve of Halangau pushed them 8-3 ahead, but Manchester fought back and took an 11-10 lead.

However, York refused to buckle and the match-winning move was spearheaded by five float serves from Pecovska, as York won 25-17.

York libero Makowska again took the MVP award.

The side are next in action at Joseph Rowntree School against Ashfield Vipers and City of Salford 2 on Sunday, March 8.

York’s men have a National League division three north triangular fixture in Manchester tomorrow against Manchester Marvels 2 and Blyth Valley.

York Volleyball Club are always on the lookout for players. For details visit www.yorkvolleyball.org.uk or phone Mike Turner on 07712 180463