In a surprising loss, league favorites ‘Thundercats’ conceded their opening game in the Womens ‘Division A’ National volleyball league. Despite an entertaining match-up, the Thundercats simply made many unforced errors over two sets and gave away the game 25-20, 25-23 to Upsetters
Coach Shervin Rankin was disappointed at the result but both he and his players remain optimistic that Thundercats will find their rhythm soon and predicts his team will dominate the female national league.
Rankin, who played 4 years on a volleyball scholarship to Concordia College in New York is quite excited at the caliber of players on the Thundercats team. The team is newly-formed group of mostly Caymanian and Canadian ladies: Melanie McLaughlin, Thiry Gordon, Tanya Chin-Yee, Emily Maley, Emily Davies, Lori Spoltore, Krista Jorch, Tiffany Maier, Belinda Francis, Audrey Kwan and Samantha Cox. Rankin noted that despite difficulties in securing sponsorship for training facilities, the Thundercats have been training hard as it will compete against more-established female teams.
In its opening game, the Thundercats defence was caught ‘cat-napping’ too many times, with several unlucky dinks and dropped passes ending the first set at 25-20. Nonetheless, the Thundercats rallied hard in the second set, with good blocking by Thiry Gordon and Melanie McLaughlin from the middle. Lori Spoltore and Belinda Francis stepped up the ‘Cats’ offensive, scoring several smashes from high outside. However a final service error on game-point saw the ‘Cats give up the second set 25-23.
The Thundercats will face Admiral Storm at 5pm on Saturday 4 November 2006 at UCCI Gym.
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