Match Schedule
Date	Home	Away	Time	Venue		W/L
Thursday  14 Oct.		Etoile  Genève	20h00	Ecole des Franchises		W 3-2
Wednesday  27 Oct.	Les Plots 2		20h00	Coudriers		W 3-2
Wednesday  24 Nov.	Viry 2		20h00	Coudriers		W 3-1
Wednesday  8 Dec.	Onvoumê		20h00	Coudriers		L 1-3
Monday  13 Dec.		Mixatus	20h00	Ecole du Seujet		L 0-3
Wednesday  2 Feb.	CERN 2		20h00	Coudriers		W 3-1
Wednesday  16 Feb.	Etoile Genève		20h00	Coudriers		L 2-3
Wednesday 1 March		Les Plots 2	20h00	Cycle des Voirets		L 1-3
Monday  20 March		Viry 2	20h00	St. Julien		W 3-0
Wednesday  10 May	Mixatus		20h00	Coudriers		L 1-3
Thursday  18 May		Onvoumê	20h00	Salle du gym du Lignon		L 1-3
Tuesday  30 May		Cern 2	20h00	CO de la Golette		L 0-3

Thursday, 14 October v. Etoile Genève
Score: 3-2
Most Valuable Player: Gerhard Reinecke

15-9

2-15

10-15

15-8

15-7

1st set: We started off very well, taking an early lead and holding on to it until the end.
2nd set: We were lucky to score! Everything fell to pieces, we couldn't control our serve receptions and our attacking was pretty dire.
3rd set: Well, considering the clobbering we received in the 2nd set, we could have only done better. When you're at the bottom, there's only one way to go.
4th set: Signs of life.  Everything started to come together again.  Great performances by Gerhard (blocking) and Mary (cross-court attacks).
5th set: Tiebreak.  As we went into the 5th set there was a collective sigh of "How come we always win our matches in 5 sets? Why can't we do it in 3?".  Still, being the veterans of 5-set matches that we are, we put our vast experience to use and took an early and commanding lead which we never gave up.  Victory at last.

Wednesday, 27 October v. Les Plots 2
Score: 3-2
MVP: Gerhard Reinecke

15-9

5-15

11-15

15-9

15-8

1st set: We got off to a roaring start, fumbled a little in the middle, and then came back with a strong win. We lost a lot of points due to the new rule regarding not touching the center line...and some of us have HUGE feet!
2nd set: Well, at least we scored 3 points more than we did in the 2nd set of our last match! (see above).  Hopefully this isn't going to become a trend.
3rd set: We started off pretty poorly with the opposing team taking an early lead. Although we were playing better than in the previous set, things still weren't falling into place properly. We managed to close the gap a little but unfortunately surrendered the set.
4th set: As in the last match, we began showing signs of life again in the 4th set.  We took an early lead and never lost it, eventually pulling ahead and taking the set.
5th set: Tiebreak.  We've been here before.  Strong serves, good receptions and wicked blocking gave us another early lead which we turned into a convincing win.

Wednesday, 24 November v. Viry 2
Score: 3-1
MVP: Alex Aziz

15-7

15-4

3-15

15-13

YES! We did it in 4! Well, judging from the scores, it looks like we had a pretty good game.  The first two sets seem to have been a bit of a walk-over and it was good to finally win the second set (which we usually lose disastrously).  There was a bit of a problem in the third set - actually, it looks like we didn't show up. As for the fourth set, they gave us a run for our money...but that was only because we let them!

Wednesday, 8 December v. Onvoumê
Score: 1-3
MVP: Nghia Tran

9-15

15-5

14-16

14-16

This was a close game and although we lost it, we all had a good time. After taking one set a piece, the last two sets were nail-biters. In the third set we came from behind to take a very late lead but then lost it (yeah, the sun got in our eyes just as we prepared to attack...). The fourth set was much the same: we came from behind again to tie the game at 14-14, only to have it taken away again. Despite losing, it was a good game in that both teams were evenly matched and everyone played well (especially Nghia who sacrificed life and limb to save points). The highlight of the evening, however, was how well PF got along with the waiter in the restaurant afterwards...!

Monday, 13 December v. Mixatus
Score: 0-3 (but don't tell anyone, ok?)
MVP: Alison Irvine

13-15

8-15

11-15

OK, this game doesn't deserve a full summary. We probably would have done better not to show up at the game. It was one of those annoying games where the other team didn't really win it, rather we lost it. Almost every point they scored was literally given away by us. Our only redeeming factor was that Alison played really well in both offence and defence. I suppose it's worth noting that this is the only game in which we played the minimum number of sets possible - although I'm not sure that that is something to be proud of considering we lost the game! Needless to say, we're going to crush this team when we play the return match, right?

Wednesday, 2 February v. CERN 2
Score: 3-1
MVP: Laszlo Zsoldos

15-8

15-12

5-15

15-7

1st set: First game of the new millenium and what a start we had!  Having stuffed ourselves over the holiday period, two (poorly attended) practice sessions got us back into shape and ready to take on the enemy.  Good serving, strong attacks and decent serve receptions gave us an early lead. We had a momentary lapse of concentration somewhere in the middle of the set but then came back to win it quite convincingly - even if I say so myself (the fact that I had absolutely nothing to do with this win notwithstanding...)
2nd set: Ok, so it wasn't quite as convincing as the first set - but we won, right?  A lot of unforced errors on our part gave the opponents some of their points. Despite this, however, we played well and, in particular, blocked very well sending quite a few of the opponents' attacks back into their court.
3rd set: Moving swiftly along...
4th set: Having decided to, um, "yield" the 3rd set to our worthy opponents (after all, it simply wouldn't do to win a match in only 3 sets! - what on earth would we do with all that spare time?), we stopped admiring the scenery and got down to the matter in hand.  We were a little shaky at first but then settled down to win the set quite comfortably.
All in all, it was a really good match. Yes, we were clobbered in the 3rd set but, in all fairness, we were trying a new system with which we were not too familiar - and what better time to practice it than when you're leading by two sets? CERN played well and had some really great attacks - the return match promises to be a good one. Oh, and what a fantastic referee we had...!

Wednesday, 16 February v. Etoile Genève
Score: 2-3
MVP: Hilary Wyatt

15-9

15-12

1-15

12-15

13-15

This report comes from our Special Correspondent on the spot:

Reports are emerging this morning of a battle of epic proportions fought last night between two very determined but unevenly numbered teams. The far out-numbered ILO team took on the powerful Etoile Genève team and, despite jumping to an early two-set lead, succumbed in the final set after what eyewitnesses have described as a "very hard fought match" and "one definitely worth remembering".

The evening got off to a bad start when only six players - the minimum required - from the ILO showed up at the game.  As one eyewitness put it, "We were only six players for this match.  A combination of snow, vacations, house moves and injuries meant that only six of us were available; and what troopers the six were."

The problems were compounded when it was discovered that the match file (which contains official score sheets and other information such as battle plans and the names of the club's various commanders) was missing in action. A number of frantic phone calls later revealed that the file was safe and sound in the club President's desk drawer at the office!

Nevertheless, the game began and the ILO got off to a strong start. When questioned about the 1st set, Hilary, a veteran of many years and one of the six 'Super Troopers' brave enough to take on the opponents, had this to say: "We couldn't believe it!  Six of us against a team with at least a million players present, but it goes to show what commitment can produce.  Everyone was focussed and played for each other as a team."

And the ILO's success continued into the 2nd set. Hilary again had this to say: "Wonderful teamwork and amazing commitment handed us the second set - quite unusual for us!  What blocks from Emmanuel!  What dives (yes, dives) from everyone."  Another trooper, Alison, also had high praise indeed for her teammates: "Some excellent serves from Hilary.  Brilliant attacks by little Nghia.  Super saves by Koni."  Alison added, "We got off to a good start, 5-0, then got caught, and finally managed to break away towards the end.  There were some long and really well played rallies."

Unfortunately for the ILO their success did not continue, losing the 3rd set in disastrous fashion.  "It was a receptions nightmare," said one eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity, adding that they lost the set due to "unforced errors and bad judgement on balls which looked like they were going out."

The 4th set brought some momentary respite. Despite getting off to a good start, Etoile again caught up with the now tired ILOers. Said one spectator, "They started off ahead, but were caught again due to bad receptions.  Klau did some good blocks, and Irvine had a couple of reasonable smashes."  When asked if she would like to comment on this set, Hilary had this to say: "We had begun to lose confidence in ourselves, coupled with the fact that we were probably a bit tired at this stage!"

With the score now tied two sets apiece, the game went into a tie-break. Although they hadn't played a 5th set since 27 October 1999, the ILO had had ample experience of five-set games and knew that it was "make or break" time.  After getting off to a shaky start, the ILO managed to even the score. From then on, the set remained tight, with only one or two points difference until the end.  Having been unable to substitute players in and out, however, the six Super Troopers were now thoroughly tired after close to two hours without rest and simply were not able to see it through.  "Our receptions continued to let us down," Alison said.  Hilary was slightly more philosophical about it, saying, "The worst of it is that we really should have won.  I can't say what happened.  But whatever it was, it happened!!"

So there it is. A five-set nail-biter came to an exciting end with only two points difference. Already, however, questions have started to emerge which are likely to prove difficult to answer. One player, again speaking on the condition of anonymity, had this to say: "The main question that came from this performance and needs serious consideration, is why oh why we insist on giving away five or six points at the beginning of each set because of absolutely diabolical receptions?  Do we particularly like uphill battles?  Are our jobs not challenging enough so we have to add spice in our volleyball matches?  Are we closet masochists?  The questions go on and on but the fact remains that our receptions need serious work."  This opinion was echoed by others on the team.  Nevertheless, the valiant volleyballers ended on a positive note: "However, we can hold our heads high - it was good, friendly and evenly matched game. Bravo to everyone!"  A statement issued by the Club President's Office reinforced this: "Judging from reports which have started to come in, our players put up a great fight and the rest of us in the club should be grateful to them for such a fine performance - especially as we would have had to forfeit the game had only one of them not shown up at the game. Well done to all of them."

Wednesday, 1 March v. Les Plots 2
Score: 1-3
MVP: Gerhard Reinecke

15-11

7-15

12-15

11-15

I really can't remember anything specific about this game except that we gave away a lot of points through basic mistakes. Maybe next time I'll write the summary immediately after the game, eh?  If anyone can remember any specifics, let me know.

Monday, 20 March v. Viry 2
Score: 3-0
MVPs: Pierre-François Recoing and Arne Klau

15-13

15-11

15-9

The unbelievable has happened. Not only did we manage to play a 3-set game, but we actually managed to win it too!  No, you read that correctly, we won in only 3 sets.  Stop laughing, it's true!  Ok, so we didn't clobber them...but we still got full points for the win.  It wasn't all easy sailing, of course, as the scores show.  The 1st set was pretty close. We remained tied most of the way and then some strong attacks from our legal eagle, PF (who is actually a natural born middle player!!!), helped us to pull away and take the set. The 2nd set belonged to Arne who didn't so much as attack the ball as slam-dunk it within the opponents' 3-meter line - not to mention making some spectacular blocks - and all this with his feet firmly on the ground. Go figure.  The 2nd set was possibly our longest, with the score remaining tied 8-8 for almost 10 minutes.  We finally wrapped up the game with a rather dominant performance in the 3rd set, the last two points being scored by our great leader and President (and webmaster) with a pair of beautifully set (thank you, Emmanuel) back-court attacks.

Wednesday, 10 May v. Mixatus
Score: 1-3
MVP: You must be kidding.

15-8

11-15

12-15

13-15

Back on the court only two days after returning from the Inter-Agency Games, it would seem that we were all lacking that little bit of 'umph' to see us through to a win (who organised a game so soon after the Games, anyhow?).  This game should have been, as Emmanuel said, a walk-over.  Having played at such a high level during the Games, we should have taken this game in three sets of 15-0. We didn't. Instead we gave them point after point after point.  Anyhow, no need to dwell on this. Chalk it up to experience and move on.  Unfortunately, however, not all of us can "move on" that easily: although it still isn't clear exactly what happened, Emmanuel managed to sprain his ankle and had to be rushed off to La Tour where, no doubt several forms later (please, there are procedures to be followed, even under intense pain), doctors placed it in an air-cast.  So that's the good news. The bad news is that he is still going to be able to boss us around the court (don't worry, we wouldn't have it any other way) and, as depressing as this sounds, he could probably still play better than most of us even on one leg.  Of course, there's always another angle to this: Emmanuel....I guess you won't be able to practice your drop-kicks for a while, eh?

Thursday, 18 May v. Onvoumê
Score: 1-3
MVP: Hilary Wyatt

15-9

10-15

8-15

14-16

There isn't a lot to say. We started off strong and then made a lot of basic mistakes. Emmanuel started recording some stats and, suffice it to say, they didn't paint a nice picture!

Tuesday, 30 May v. CERN 2
Score: 0-3
MVP: Hilary Wyatt

5-15

6-15

10-15

Ouch. What a way to finish the season.

News from around the club.....

-- Although this has nothing whatsoever to do with volleyball, I threatened to put this on the web page and so here it is: a certain member of the club, who shall remain nameless lest her colleagues in PUBL should recognise who I'm talking about, managed to go to the gym the other day and do a good portion of her workout with her top - which she said is designed to fit only one way, if you see what I mean - on backwards, producing something of a "reversed Madonna" look. You either know what I'm talking about or you don't - and I'm not explaining. (11/05/00)

-- BES (Blank Email Syndrome) is spreading. Koni is now the second memeber of the club to show signs of this mysterious behaviour. (12/05/00)

-- The rest of the news from around the club this week comes from the Inter-Agency Games so please see the section on the Games (which isn't on-line yet but will be soon-ish).

Old News...

-- During practice two weeks ago, Emmanuel, our coach, demonstrated a new approach to setting which involved firmly placing his elbow in Nghia's eye. I believe that the desired effect was to get her out of the way so that he could set properly - and you know what, it worked!  Uh, Laszlo, there's no need to try this. (04/04/00)

-- We had a healthy turn-out for practice last week. In fact, there were so many of us that I had to use my toes to count them all.  And did the President have his camera ready to take a team photo? Nooooooo. That would've been too simple.  Instead he has chosen to wait for the next time we have so many people at practice - which at the this rate will probably take place aboard the Starship Enterprise! (04/04/00)

-- Finally, in preparation for the upcoming Inter-Agency Games, the men took on the women in a friendly game at practice last week (or was that the week before? it was so memorable!).  After giving the men a real run for their money, the women finally succumbed to overpowering might (oh, and our coach's never-ending attempts to cheat by announcing that "the next point wins the game" when the women were already ahead of the men!).  (04/04/00)

-- Gerhard set a new record for brevity on Tuesday by sending the entire club a blank email!  As he stated in his next email to everyone...."Thanks for the great feedback to my empty email. Even trying very best, I could not have written anything more successful."  Makes you wonder what his reports for IFP/SED are like, eh?  Gerhard, weren't you just given a contract extension?!?!  (16/03/00)

-- There was a good turn-out for practice last night...almost everyone was there except for...well, the net!  It would seem that Koni has utmost faith in our abilities, to the point where we don't even need all the equipment, just a little imagination.  Fortunately, however, the net finally made it to practice, even if Koni didn't.  (Psst, Koni, when you go to work in the mornings, do you ever leave the particle accelerator at home?)  (16/03/00)

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