First U23 Championship in Falkenberg

This year the U23 Championships were introduced and took place at the new Arena Vesterhavet in Falkenberg this weekend. Sollentuna Volleyball Club was participating in the female competition only and had a bit of bad luck with illness and injuries, the team left with 8 players, two less than planned, but the team performed well and were very close reaching semifinals.

SVK opened the competition in a great manner, a victory over Warberg VBS 2-0 (25-9, 25-23)

The fact that girls had only had one practice together the Friday just before the tournament did not stop them to win the second game as well. Lunds VK – SVK 0-2 (15-25, 19-25)

The long ride to Falkenberg, the team left Sollentuna 5:30 the same morning, and playing the third game of the day took it’s toll. SVK was facing Gislaved and started the match furiously taking the lead 4-1 in the first set. Madelene Green suffered a back injury and was forced to go off-court. After the injury of the team captain, it was hard to regain focus and being forced to improvise SVK lost the first set 25-19. However, the team was determined not to go out without a fight. Madelene was on her way to the hospital and girls were on their way to equal the score with Gislaved. They fought hard, and showed much desire and determination which led to a set point for SVK 24-23 but their luck just ran out in that game. Aliide’s hard spike from the right side didn’t count because the referee replayed the point after the wondering ball from the side found its way on to the court. Final result was 2-0 for Gislaved.

The quarterfinal with Hylte/Halmstad was scheduled for 09:00 Sunday morning. Having a right mind-set girls put on a hell of a fight but lost slightly after 3 sets. 2-1 for Hylte (25-22, 19-25, 15-11).

SVK had one more game and a chance to take the fifth position. Once again they were facing Gislaved. First set Gislaved won 25-15 and everything looked like its gonna be another victory for them but much more was about to happen. Again making some improvisations, switching the positions in the team Sollentuna and the girls were leading mid second set. But the trouble for SVK wasn’t over. Maria twisted her ankle and was forced off-court. With a second injured player SVK made a last substitution and was left with no players on the bench. Despite that the Sollentuna girls were unbelievable in that game. They evened the score 1-1 in sets and went on to win the game in the third. It seems like SVK was destined to suffer an injury when playing Gislaved but it was a sweet payback. SVK-Gislaved 2-1 (15-25, 25-16, 15-12)

Sollentuna ended the competition taking fifth place and having two players injured. Frida was elected for the tournaments dream team setter. All girls from Sollentuna were preforming great during the tournament and the feeling was that they gave 100% in every match. We will be back next year, with big goals and hopefully better luck.

Madelene Green – Team captain
Frida Kindbom
Matilda Bouveng
Aliide Sjögren
Filippa Kolm Lindström
Ulli Blomgren
Kajsa Österman
Maria Gottlander

Coaches
Vladan Ceremidzic
Lucas Lötbom
Viktoria Nordström

More pictures from Viktoria can be found at Instagram sollentunavolley