YORK ladies stormed through in the national volleyball knock-out competition when they beat Tees Valley, who play in a higher league, 3-0.

York, the Yorkshire Premier League champions, now face a tough trip to Loughborough or Telford in the next round but will go with confidence after defeating the National Division Three North outfit.

After a slow start, York got into their rhythm and, with some great covering and hitting from Simone Pfuderer and Katrin Bessar, took the first set 25-15.

Tees Valley came back in the second set but with the score at 15-14 newcomer Claire Gibbal came on for York and played well and, with setters Louise Secker and Julie Groner beginning to find their hitters, helped York win it 25-19.

Tees Valley never gave up and came back strongly in the third set but, with Sue Yoward dominating at the front of the net and Yvonne Wight hitting and serving well, York held them off to take the match 3-0.

York men, also of Yorkshire League status, had less luck when they entertained National League division two high-flyers Leeds.

York were not at the top of their game and, although they kept up with the Leeds for much of the game, mistakes cost them as the West Yorkshire side won in straight sets.

Some excellent back-court defending caused the visitors to work harder than they expected in the first set and a strong five-point serving run from Steve Matthews brought York level at the half-way stage.

However, Leeds proved too strong and replied with a seven-point run - predominantly built on York errors - and this lead remained intact to the conclusion.

York, annoyed that the game had run away from them when they felt they were competing, started badly in the second set as Leeds went 5-0 up.

And although they played several good points, it seemed that for every point they gained, they lost two.

There were no strong runs from either team, reflecting York's will to compete, but they were unable to build on their side-outs.

The third set was more closely fought. Newcomer to York, Gareth McKay, managed to gain a number of points hitting off the Leeds block and, with excellent serving and defensive work from Phil Singleton, the hosts managed to take the lead in the early stages, forcing a time-out from the opposition.

However, Leeds turned up the heat and York were left trailing. The hosts did enjoy a final flurry as Leeds relaxed, but errors meant York were not able to capitalise further.

York captain Graham Atkinson said: "All in all it was a closer game than was expected, but it was unfortunate that we didn't play nearer our best. This would perhaps have applied more pressure to the opposition in their weaker moments."

Updated: 10:16 Thursday, January 23, 2003