YORK Falcons volleyball team have guaranteed promotion to National League division two north after nearest league rivals Hull Thunder failed to win their games in hand.

The side, who are part of York Volleyball Club, were crowned National League division three north champions with a game to spare.

After leading from the top of the table since the beginning of the season, the Falcons claimed the title this weekend when closest challengers Hull Thunder - the only team who could have caught Falcons - dropped points against Manchester Marvels 2 leaving an insurmountable 14-point gap with four games to play.

The Falcons are unbeaten since October and on a nine-game winning streak in a season that has also seen them beat a side full of international players, in the form of a 3-1 win over Sheffield Hallam in the National Cup.

Head Coach Jack Deaton said: "It's a great achievement for the girls to finally get the league title. The aim was to win the league this season and with a lot of hard work we have achieved it with a game to go.

“The result is brilliant for the club. We continue to attract more players every year and with over 100 members we are now one of the largest clubs in the country.”

York’s final game will be against Sheffield Honeybees on Sunday, April 8 as they look to finish the season on a high before preparations begin for life in a higher tier next year.

York Volleyball Club has seven teams competing in national and regional volleyball leagues. Each summer, the club hosts open volleyball sessions on Thursday evenings from 7pm at Millennium Bridge.

For further information on the club, matches and training times visit www.yorkvolleyball.org.uk