Opponents: Torexe
Date: Saturday 31st March 2001
Venue: Exeter
Result: 3-0 Win
Headline: Docklands Claim Their Prize
Author: Mike Lams

Victory in their last two fixtures of the season allowed Docklands to take the National League 2 title in style - and secure promotion to the top flight.

A 3-0 win at home to RAF Harriers on Saturday 24th March, followed by another 3-0 win last Saturday, this time away to Torexe of Exeter, meant that LDV practically strolled to the Division 2 title, without losing a single match along the way.

The win against Harriers had left Docklands in the happy position of being certain of the title even before the journey to Exeter and the team traveled down in relaxed and confident mood. However, coach Legrand wanted a dominant display from his charges and they duly obliged.

After controlling the first set, with strong serving from Lams and precise hitting from Blair and Rak, to win 25-22, Docklands really stepped up a gear in the next. Lead by the spiking of team-captain Ned Groy, Docklands demolished the opposition, creating cluster after cluster of points. Blair and Vincett controlled from the service line and the set was over in less than 20 minutes: 25-15.

The final set saw the whole substitutes' bench used, with Primus, Marshman and Odele wasting no chance to have their influence on the outcome of the game. The set score of 25-19 underlined the strength in depth of the London team.

The man of the match however was Yassir Sliti, making his final appearance for Docklands before leaving to join Long Beach University in California on a volleyball scholarship. His hitting produced 9 kills from 10 attacks, and his serving was his best of the season - with power, precision and consistency earning many valuable points for the team.

The championship table makes happy reading for LDV, with only a remarkable 5 sets lost in the entire campaign! It should also make interesting reading for the teams in National League Division One, who will have to take on this improving outfit next season. At the end of a season, which has also seen them through to the semis of the Cup, LDV have certainly made their intentions absolutely clear.