Mayo Volleyball Club began their first home game of the 2019/20 league campaign with an entertaining victory over Santry in St Louis School Sports Hall in Kiltimagh.
However Mayo didn't have it all their own way in the opening set as Santry stormed ahead with a 12-0 lead. The Westerners slowly clawed their way to narrow the gap but the Dublin side kept their resolve to win 25-19.
Santry began the better in the second set two, leading by 12-5 at one point. However, Aisling Croughan from Claremorris hit a run of good serves aided by strong hitting from another Claremorris playerm Edel Nolan, leading to Mayo taking the set 25-22.
In the third set Mayo found their swagger as the Dubliners struggled to score against Mayo's defence. Mikal O'Boyle and Adriana Slovakova made several defensive passes while their attack capitalised on winning the corresponding possession - Mayo won this set 25-21.
Being two sets to one up, Mayo entered the fourth set eager to win their third consecutive set. The red and green steamrolled to an emphatic 24-17 lead but with only one point to win the game, complacency set in. The Dubliners narrowed the gap to the tightest of margins but before they could draw level Mayo finished the set when Mikal O'Boyle tipped the ball over Santry's block, winning the set 25-23 and the game 3-1.
