YORK Volleyball Club broke new ground by winning their first match in the Women's National Volleyball League in Derby.

York played the second and third matches in a triangular fixture, beating Manchester Marvels 2 3-0 before going down 3-0 to Darkstar Derbyshire.

Darkstar had beaten Manchester Marvels 2 3-0 in the opening match of the division three north fixture.

In York's first match, the Marvels quickly raced into 16-8 lead but, after a few choice words from coach Jack Deaton, York started fought back.

With good blocking and passing from most valuable player Sarah Godson and seven serves in a row from Cristina Galvez, York went 20-19 up.

The two teams struggled to get the two-point lead needed to take the set until York snatched it 30-28.

The second set was tight, with both sides jostling to gain an advantage.

Midway through the set, Mariana de la Rosa twisted her ankle and York were forced into a substitution.

Gabi Pecovska came on as an opposite player and York continued to battle hard, closing the set out 25-22.

The third and final set was more straightforward as York used their momentum to keep control of the game.

With some good setting from captain Katie Thorn and effective hitting from Patrycja Kirsz, York won comfortably at 25-12.

York knew Darkstar would provide a far sterner test.

Thanks to some great defence from libero Marzena Makowska, York stayed in the rallies and kept in touch and they even took the lead at 19-17.

However, after a couple of errors, the set slipped away 25-21.

The second set was a repeat of the first, with York helped by some good hitting from their summer signing Ana H?l?ng?u, who was their most valuable player.

York dropped 20-15 behind and looked to be out of it, but some good blocking from Laura Robson brought them back to 20-20. Unfortunately, Darkstar were again able to score the vital points and took the second set 25-21.

The third set was one too many for York, as physical and mental fatigue set in and Darkstar took the set with relative ease at 25-9.

The York squad was Galvez, Godson, Halangau, Patrycja Kirsz, Makowska, Pecovska, Laura Robson, de la Rosa and Katie Thorn.

York's women are not in action again until 2015, with their next fixture round two of the National Shield knockout competition on Sunday, January 11.

York's Men's National League team take on Wigan Seahawks and City of Sheffield 2 at Joseph Rowntree School tomorrow.

The club are always on the lookout for new players of all ages and abilities.

For more information, visit the website www.yorkvolleyball.org.uk or phone Mike Turner on 07712 180463.