York Phoenix Volleyball Club toppled fellow Premier League strugglers Barnsley Chiefs 3-0 at York College to lift themselves out of a relegation spot.

With only one win all season Phoenix started well, their ranks boosted by new signing, Albert Severin, as the specialist “libero”.

Spikes down the line by Gordon Fallowfield and confident blocking gave the home side an 8-4 advantage only for Barnsley to come back before a winner came from a Barnsley error.

Accurate setting from Steve Gate allowed Dave Gamble, playing at middle hitter, to power the ball down onto the Barnsley court in a feature of the second set which was won 25-19 by the hosts, setter Derek Cattle sealing the win.

The third set was a tense and tight affair with the score locked at 28-28 before Phoenix kept their nerve to take it 30-28.

Phoenix Ladies’ run of five successive league victories puts them close behind leaders York and a 3-0 drubbing of Leeds has sent them to the final of the Yorkshire Volleyball plate competition at the Gryphon Sports Centre, Leeds, on Sunday, April 25.