It was packed weekend away for the 2024 Inter Regional Championships at the National Volleyball Centre in Kettering. The Southwest Volleyball Association went away with players representing their region in the Boys and Girls U15 and U17 squads. Exeter Storm was proud to congratulate a host of club players who were selected for the tournament. A big congratulations to all the players involved over the weekend!
For the U17 Girls which included, Exeter Storm players Katie Tuohey and Heidi Bright, came home with a silver medal after losing to London in the final. The girls came second in their group which led to a tough fixture against East but a thrilling three set match (25-20, 19-25, 5-15) paved their way to the final.
The U15 girls, and our Keeva Pengelly, finished 3rd in the pool stages, after beating North East and East Midlands, which earnt them a place in the 5th-6th play-off match. It was another 3 set contest in the U15’s final game as they saw off their North Western counterparts 25-18. 20-25, 19-17!
For the boys, the U17’s took one win for their 3 games in the pool stages. With close loses versus North West (22-25, 21-25) and East (19-25, 21-25) before beating the South East boys in three sets (25-22, 24-26, 15-9). The knockout stage for the 7-9 places saw more tight games as the SW U17’s beat the North East before going all the way in their final game of the week against the East Midlands (17-25, 25-23, 12-15) securing 7th in the final standings. Well done to everyone involved with a special mention to Exeter Storm members Ben Cortinhas, Harry Brett, Zak Baruzi, Derin Canbulat and Max Craig!
The U15’s, including Ben Alvey who has been training with both Taunton VC and Exeter Storm this year, came away with possibly the biggest smiles on their faces as they conquered all and left as Inter Regional Championships U15 Boys 2024 Champions. It was a convincing performance which saw them top their group winning 4 from 4, without dropping a set. They then faced neighbours West Midlands, who came second place in Pool B, beating them 25-23, 14-25, 15-11. The North West won the other semi-final which set up a repeat of the Pool A group stage. This time North West took a set off the boys pushing them into a final set decider which the SW came out on top winning the match and championship (25-15, 23-25, 15-9).