Despite Obvious Improvements, GVK Suffers Back-to-Back Losses

November 12, 2014

The break killed Gislaved’s fight

This season's best sets. Then came break - and the fall. "We're not quite there yet," says Sanna Schultz.

Final Score: Gislaved 1, Svedala 3: 22-25, 25-22, 16-25, 18-25

GISLAVED | You have heard it before. You get to hear it again: GVK was close, but not close enough.

In home meeting with Svedala, 2014 SM runner-up, was the blue-clad once again for a solid effort. Sure, they lost the first set with 22-25, but they gritted. Battled. Tore both walls and beams and managed to get back into the game.

"In the second set we did everything. We had good energy on the field, all dared to go for it," says Sanna Schultz. “Our best set so far this season”

The coach Dick Runesson enjoyed just as much effort. "I felt calm and relaxed. We responded perfectly at the end of the set, where we've lost before. Now we know that we can win on our own merits in those positions. We will definitely take with us into the future.”

After the ten minute break between the second and third set, Svedala's big stars Holly Franks and Autumn Wedan came out and smashed home the match. The fighting GVK game remained the locker room.

"That damn break." Dick Runesson sighs. "Generally, it should be good, if you need to talk through lot of things. We had the momentum, and I just wanted to go back out and play. But that’s how it is. We have to get better at coming back from the break.”

It was by 16-25 in the third. 18-25 in the fourth. No funny numbers. It was fun, however, to see Stina Lindstam enter into the match’s final set. After being plagued with illness the past two months, she finally made her Elite Series debut for GVK.

"I was really nervous. It's good to be nervous and I was in the beginning. But when I got to come in, I had calmed down,” she smiles. “And it was fun because I got a really good block.”

What did you see while watching the match from the sidelines?
"We had some dips and we got stuck in them for some time. But as long as we focus on the next ball, we can continue to play well. And then, we will find a solution.”

Sanna Schultz adds: "We know we can ...."

But ...?
"... we are not really there yet."

IMPACT PLAYERS//GVK

BEST ATTACKER: Emma Petersson, 12 kills

BEST SERVER: Meghan Sherman, 2 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Jollan Åkerlund and Lisa Tannerfalk, 3 blocks each

BEST RECEIVER: Emma Petersson, 94%

MVP: Emma Petersson

IMPACT PLAYERS//SVEDALA

BEST ATTACKER: Autumn Wedan, 21 kills

BEST SERVER: Holly Franks, 3 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Viktoria Nordstrom, 2 blocks

BEST RECEIVER: Autumn Wedan, 95%

MVP: Autumn Wedan

November 14, 2014

Pre-Game: GVK-EVS

GVK to face Engelholm, Saturday at 14: 00

Tomorrow it's time again for an exciting game against the series runner-up Engelholm.

We are fully aware that it will be tough and EVS have run over the opponent that they've met so far in the series. The advantages of a match of this nature is that all the pressure is on the opponents. We are strong at home and our keys will be in a stable defense game and a tough serve.

In a face text against EVS must designate Isabella Haak 15 years old but already with credentials that beats most. One of the biggest talents ever. She is fifth in the overall points league and has already made debut in the Swedish national team.

EVS is a large and complete team but we know that if we show a lot of heart and follow our game plan, nothing is won in advance.

We will welcome the challenge and hope we get to see you in the stands. Your support means a lot.

//DM

November 15, 2014

GVK did what no others have managed

No one has previously taken a set against Engelholm this season. Today Gislaved did just that.

Final Score: Gislaved 1, Engelholm 3: (11-25, 13-25, 28-26, 15-25)

GISLAVED | Hylte/Halmstad has failed. Katrineholm has failed. All have failed so far. Until Gislaved stood as the opponent. Then Engelholm lost their first set of the season.

To think the series’ current last-place team could upset the undefeated series leader was quite impossible, but GVK stood up well. Despite EVS winning their three sets far by ten-points or more, the third set showed that GVK is on the rise.

GVK won the third set through a good serve reception and an aggressive offense. One good set was not enough. Engelholm ground down Gislaved in the final, and GVK continues to find themselves in last place in the Elite Series with seven losses and only one point recorded. But as a coach Dick Runesson reminds all since the start of the season, GVK comes closer and closer.

November 16, 2014

GVK managed what none other could

GISLAVED | It was a loss for GVK, but they did something that no one else has before. The talk before the match was to Gislaved would not be able to take more than ten points per set. But did you, in each set. You also succeeded in something that both Hylte/Halmstad and Katrineholm failed. Gislaved won a set against the superior opponents.

“It was the same as when we met Svedala; we managed to take a set. We did it because we do good things. We need it to last longer, a full match, first and foremost. We have it in us, we showed it today,” says Runesson, and continues: “We showed a lot of heart in the third set, we came out as a completely new team. But unfortunately it gives no points. We are not there yet. But we will get there, I promise. I'm still not worried.” Gislaved really showed heart in the third set, just like Runesson says.

Engelholm SuperiorThe two teams went back-and-forth in the third set and GVK trailed 20-22. Then they took four straight points and turned the tables. Engelholm tied it at 24-24, and the teams exchanged points until that Johanna Larsson decided the set with a serve-ace at 28-26. But that set-victory did not give much. Engelholm was superior in the other three sets, despite Gislaved had a lead of 9-8 in the fourth.

“It's a shame because we had a good start there. We saw that Engelholms coach became redder and redder, and it is good for us when he gets red in the face,” Dick says, laughing.

Fine DebutOne that did not get lost in the game was 17-year-old Therese Bengtsson. She started playing volleyball for a year and a half ago, played in GVK’s C-team last year, and today experienced her first Elite League games. “It was fun and it was exciting. I'm happy with my effort,” she says.

Think you have increased your chances of getting more play in the starting six now?
“Yes but ... I do not know. We'll see. You never know,” she says.

Dick Runesson has more good things about his young protégé. “She may be the greatest center the talent we had here. She has a unique ability that she is thinking not so much. If you tell her something that she should do, she does it without question. This club will be happy to have such talent here! She walks in here and meet Sweden's best teams and played well. So impressive!”

IMPACT PLAYERS//GVK

BEST ATTACKER: Meghan Sherman and Emma Petersson, 10 kills each

BEST SERVER: Emma Petersson, 3 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Jollan Åkerlund, 2 blocks

BEST RECEIVER: Sanna Schultz

MVP: Mikaela Larsson

IMPACT PLAYERS//ENGELHOLM

BEST ATTACKER: Isabelle Haak, 24 kills

BEST SERVER: Jennifer Cross, 6 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Jennifer Cross, 3 aces

BEST RECEIVER: Anna Haak

MVP: Isabelle Haak

Drop in Focus Halts GVK's Progress Against Top League Teams

November 4, 2014

A Welcome Return

Stina Lindstam is back after a long sickness: "I want to play"

GISLAVED | A glimmer of light in the darkness disease. Stina Lindstam is training with Gislaved VK again. “I am tired of rest,” she says.

“What a block she has!” Lars Englund sitting and enjoying in Gisle Sportcenter. “And she has been gone for two months. Unbelievable.”

"She" is Stina Lindstam. And it is in front of the sports chief’s eye that she performs her first workout with GVK in a very, very long time. In just over seven weeks, her life has been filled with diseases instead of looking for volleyball. Lung inflammation. And on top of the two infections.

“It's been frustrating. I have not even got to go walking because it was too cold outside. But trying to be positive though.”

How did you think it went today?
“It was fun to play, but I felt bad. Not like it was before. But at the same time one can not expect that it will be good right away.”

With sickness absence, she has not yet had time to play a single minute of elite series volleyball this season. If all goes as she pleases, however, it will change it when the team is set against Hylte/Halmstad on Wednesday evening.

“I want to play,” she says with bright eyes, “But I do not know if I'm good enough yet.”

You yearn to play, huh?
“A lot. It's so sad to be home. And I will interact on more movies to watch.”

Are you completely healthy now?
“I cannot know for sure. I have been sick since last summer. But I hope it's fine now.”

November 5, 2014

Woke up late - fell again

GVK finished well, but failed to score against Hylte/Halmstad

Final Score: Hylte/Halmstad 3, Gislaved 0: 21-25, 17-25, 24-26

HYLTE | When did it run out? When the home team, Hylte/Halmstad, led 14-10 in the third set and looked to be pulling away to another victory. Then the GVK-machine started to tag along.

Block game worked. Attacks hit the floor. A few balls later it was 24-24 on the scoreboard. Could the GVK team manage to force the match to a fourth set? No. GVK woke up too late and Hylte/Halmstad won the match 3-0. Just as before.

“It got better in the third set,” says Emma Petersson. “We knew that we had nothing to lose. We didn’t have that pressure earlier in the match either, but it was finally time to go for it in the third. We should have started [like this] in the first set.”

Explanation?
“It felt good before the game ... but they were good. They pressured us in the serve and we were not able to respond.”

GVK did not make it. Until the fine finishing, as in all cases, gave something positive to take from Örnahallen, Hylte/Halmstad was clearly better team. The first set ended 25-21. Other 25-17. “They are really good. But we can beat them,” says Emma Petersson. “Too bad we did not really wake up early.”

November 6, 2014

Hylte/Halmstad continues as an undefeated ghost

Halloween is over, but Hylte/Halmstad continues to haunt Gislaved VK.

“Another loss,” sighs Dick Runesson.

VOLLEYBALL | It is October 30, 2013. Hylte/Halmstad down GVK 3-0 home in Örnahallen. "They blew us off the court today" commented Dick Runesson, meeting then.

Twelve months later, GVK failed to turn the tide and get back onto the court. Three Elite Series meetings have been played against rivals from Hylte/Halmstad. All three have resulted in a GVK loss. Most recently on Wednesday night.

“Considering the team they have, they mash us,” says Dick Runesson.

Was not that exactly what happened? The match took 71 minutes.
“Perhaps they did. In the second set, I can agree with you. But I say that we showed heart, fought hard, struggled and played at our level.”

Gislaved’s head coach tries to find the right formula. “We do not really have the weight and the security of our attacking play that Hylte has. That was where we dropped matched,” he says, and turns his gaze forward.

The next meeting is set for January 18.

“We know how to play to beat them. And next time, we'll take them.”

Meghan Sherman (6) serves against Hylte/Halmstad

IMPACT PLAYERS//GVK

BEST ATTACKER: Meghan Sherman, 9 kills

BEST SERVER: Jollan Åkerlund, 4 aces

BEST BLOCKER: 3 players recorded 1 block each

BEST RECEIVER: Amanda Länkinen, 72%

MVP: Meghan Sherman

IMPACT PLAYERS//HYLTE-HALMSTAD

BEST ATTACKER: Christina Alessi, 13 kills

BEST SERVER: Jonna Wasserfaller, 4 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Jonna Wasserfaller and Daniele Kovacs de Lima, 3 blocks each

BEST RECEIVER: Daniele Kovacs de Lima, 89%

MVP: Christina Alessi

November 9, 2014

GVK falls at Lindesberg

Final Score: Lindesberg 3, Gislaved 0: 11-25, 24-26, 17-25

LINDESBERG | Gislaved did not have much defense against Lindesberg Volley.

Lindesberg Volley entered the match with 4-straight wins and great confidence. It became no less nor that they completely ran over the visiting Gislaved. The last-ranked GVK had no chance but fell 3-0 in sets, a quick victory that fit Linde amidst the tight schedule.

“Yes, absolutely, it's super important to us. Now we have matches on both Wednesday and Saturday, so this worked well for us to prepare” admits Lindesberg coach Johan Isacsson.

Lindesberg started the game very strong and also got good help from the opposition. Gislaved stood for their own series of mistakes in the first set, where Isacsson believes that his team more or less just needed to tip the ball over the net. When the team crossed the 20-point line was the line up for over ten points and we finally won with 25-11.

In set two, Gislaved came out more prepared, which meant a big change for Lindesberg. After high drama, Lindesberg eventually won 26-24.

Lisa Tannerfalk (9) and Meghan Sherman (6) block against Lindesberg

IMPACT PLAYERS//GVK

BEST ATTACKER: Sanna Schultz and Emma Petersson, 5 kills each

BEST SERVER: Meghan Sherman, 2 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Jollan Åkerlund and Lisa Tannerfalk, 1 block each

BEST RECEIVER: Amanda Länkinen, 71%

MVP: Mikaela Larsson

IMPACT PLAYERS//LINDESBERG

BEST ATTACKER: Marjorie Giordano, 13 kills

BEST SERVER: Rebekah Gustavsson, 3 aces

BEST BLOCKER: Evelina Frank, 5 blocks

BEST RECEIVER: Nette Peit, 65%

MVP: Evelina Frank

Höst | Fall

While summer ended abruptly over two months ago, the fall has taken its time. The leaves turned from green to bright yellow, fading into the warm oranges and reds before making their descent to the Earth. There is something to be said about the beauty of this transition, as if mother nature is shedding her summer accessories, returning to her roots in preparation of the upcoming winter. Despite some rainy days, October has brought a crisp autumn air. The freshness fills your lungs as leaves crackle beneath your step. It is truly magical.

Nature is everywhere in Sweden. Through most of the wooded areas near me, you can find walking paths and bike trails, frequented by the locals on weekends and students en route to or from school. Others find the path-less-taken in search of wild berries or edible mushrooms. The only animals are leashed dogs, although I not-so-secretly hope to be met by a wandering moose.

With the days getting shorter and shorter, the sunshine has become more and more valuable. Despite the brisk weather, sunny days are utilized to their maximum potential by bundling up with a cosy sweater and scarf and sipping on your favorite warm beverage. With no coffee-franchizes in the area, my town is naive of the pumpkin-flavored-everything that has swept the USA by storm. Local "fika" breaks are set with strong black coffee and a pastry, nothing that isn't available every other day.

Like most American-celebrated holidays, Halloween is overlooked by most. I encountered less than 7 trick-or-treaters this year, three of which came on November 1st. Instead, Sweden observes All Saint's Day, where they visit the graves of lost family and friends, honoring their life by adorning their plot with flowers and lit candles. For a girl raised in America, I was conflicted, unsure of how to feel about this new idea of Halloween. Celebrating life of family and friends is a beautiful idea, and one that I plan to adopt; however, I cannot shake my nerves when passing a candle-lit cemetery on October 31st. I've watched ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween. I know how these things end.

Fråga mig...

It's been a tough start for Gislaved Volleyboll Klubb in the Elite Series. This year's team is vastly different from GVK Elites in the past. There are no expectations of championships, no pressures for one to be the league's best scorer. With such a young group of athletes, the focus lies on development. Every training session is an opportunity to get better: better touches, better movement, better confidence. Each match is a chance for us to be challenged, but also to challenge our opponents. The season opener was a wake-up. We are young, inexperienced in the elite series, but have a lot of potential. We cannot expect to overpower teams. Extensive scouting will do us no good. Our tactics must come from within. Control our side of the net. Know that our opponents can, and will, make mistakes. By minimizing our unforced errors, we can continue to whittle away point-by-point. 

Despite dropping two matches 0-3 against Svedala and Hylte/Halmstad, we have managed to gain respect in our opponent's eyes. And although we've lost our first three matches, we've continued an upward climb. Of course this year will not be without it's ups-and-downs. Patience is key. 

Jollan Åkerlund (7) and Mikaela Larsson (2) team up for a block
against Hylte/Halmstad's Danielle de Kovacs Lima 

ELITESERIES RANKINGS (as of 1 November):

1. Engelholm (3-0)

2. Lindesberg (3-0)

3. Svedala (2-0)

4. Hylte/Halmstad (2-1)

5. Sollentuna (1-2)

6. Katrineholm (1-2)

7. KFUM Göteborg (1-2)

8. RIG Falköping (1-1)

9. Örebro (0-3)

10. Gislaved (0-3)

GVK MATCH INFORMATION:

16 Oct against KFUM Göteborg, 2-3: 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 12-15.
MVP: Jollan Åkerlund

Stat Leaders: GVK Sanna Schultz (16 kills, 1 ace), Meghan Sherman (11 kills), Lisa Tannerfalk (4 kills, 4 blocks), Jollan Åkerlund (4 blocks, 1 kill); Göteborg Lisa Westby (15 kills, 2 aces), Ellinor Nilsson (9 kills, 1 block, 4 aces), Alma Skarrie (5 blocks)

18 Oct at Svedala, 0-3: 13-25, 16-25, 18-25.
MVP: Meghan Sherman

Stat Leaders: Svedala Holly Franks (19 kills, 2 blocks), Autumn Wedan (13 kills, 2 blocks), Marissa Collins (3 blocks); GVK Meghan Sherman (7 kills, 1 block, 1 ace), Lisa Tannerfalk (2 blocks, 1 kill, 1 ace)

25 Oct against Hylte/Halmstad, 0-3: 20-25, 22-25, 18-25
MVP: Meghan Sherman

Stat Leaders: GVK Sanna Schultz (9 kills, 1 ace), Jollan Åkerlund (4 aces, 2 blocks); HH Danielle Kovacs de Lima (12 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Megan Devine (11 kills), Christina Alessi (10 kills, 2 blocks)

Meghan Sherman (6) attacks against KFUM Göteborg

GVK UPCOMING MATCHES:

*home matches in BOLD

5 November at Hylte/Halmstad

9 November at Lindesberg

12 November vs Svedala

15 November vs Engelholm

22 November at RIG Falköping

29 November vs KFUM Göteborg

GVK Handed a Tough Loss by Reigning Champs

October 25, 2014

GVK change training plan prior to the derby 

Gislaved | Ditch the heavy weight training.

So, Gislaved VK hopes to change the season that started with a negative trend.

“I think it can give us a boost,” says team-captain Lisa Tannerfalk.  

Volleyball | Two heavy matches. Two heavy losses. Gislaved VK has had to work hard during the season’s start.

Ahead of today's meeting with Hylte/Halmstad team has moved around in the training set-up and perhaps found a break in the trend.

Away with the heavy weights. Maintain the light and fresh legs.

“It feels good that we're doing this now. I think we will be fresh,” says Lisa Tannerfalk.

Have there been heavy legs?

“We started [the series] pretty hard with a 5-set match against Gothenburg. And then it was tough at Svedala, even if it was [a 0-3 loss]. Certainly each day thereafter pretty tough.”

The coach Dick Runesson: “One can not lift heavy indefinitely; you [constantly] break down rather than build up. We have run heavy strength training until after Svedala game, now we change a little bit and I think we will feel lighter in the bodies for a while.”

First test if the change gives the desired result?

A derby at home in Gisle Sportcenter against Hylte/Halmstad.

The reigning Swedish champions who won both meetings with GVK last season.

“Everything but a clear win for Hylte is a great success. I must be honest,” says Dick Runesson. “They have half the national team and they have put a lot of money on their foreign players. They are again considered as one of the top teams.”

But ...?

“So far, they have not shown that they are as good as last year. They barely won against Orebro and lost to Engelholm in 3-sets. They have not quite found it yet.”

What is most important to you?

“I think the key for us is to resist hurricane in the early sets. To not let them run away. As long as we can keep up with them so you get to see what it is going.”

Lisa Tannerfalk adds: “Serve receive is very important. And we must be calm in defense. Stay patient and do not have too many of our own mistakes.

Can you win?

“Yes, absolutely.”

October 25, 2014

Honorable Home Defeat  

Lisa Tannerfalk (9), Meghan Sherman (6), Mikaela Larsson (2)
& Sanna Schultz (11) celebrate a point against Hylte Halmstad

Gislaved | Reigning champion stood on the other side of the net. 

Intimidation? Not an ounce.

Final Score: Gislaved 0, Hylte/Halmstad 3 (20-25, 22-25, 18-25) 

Gislaved really showed zero fear of derby opponent, and reigning  champion Hylte/Halmstad. 

The home team proved once again that they are on the rise, and the match on Saturday was a testament that GVK is heading in the right direction. 

That it was the loss was a side-note for Dick Runesson. He was pleased, despite the loss, and felt they did not need to be ashamed of the effort. 

They pressured the guests throughout the match and, in the second set, had a 20-13 lead, however, GVK dropped the set with 22-25. 

Despite the loss, it was a well-rounded effort by the home team; an effort that bodes well for what's to come.

Match’s Best Players awarded to: Christina Alessi (Hylte/Halmstad) and Meghan Sherman (Gislaved)

Stat Leaders: GVK Sanna Schultz (9 kills, 1 ace), Jollan Åkerlund (4 aces, 2 blocks); HH Danielle Kovacs de Lima (12 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks), Megan Devine (11 kills), Christina Alessi (10 kills, 2 blocks)

GVK Opens Season 0-2

Series premiers at home for GVK 

Gislaved | Gislaved faces KFUM Göteborg at home in this year's Elite series premiere. 

GVK hosts KFUM Göteborg in the Elite Series premier

“I hope that people are supposed to appear in the hall,” said coach Dick Runesson.  

Dick Runesson enters his fifth season as head coach of GVK. 

A season that looks a bit different than before, which you could read about in Tuesday's newspaper. 

Now waiting for the premiere. A home game. Against Göteborg. One Thursday evening. 

“I expect that it will be a pretty even match. Göteborg is used to playing a strong defense and fight and tear each other properly,” says Runesson and continues: “We will need to have great patience in our attacking game. At the same time, we must also wear down [Göteborg’s defense] significantly. But it only makes us better as a player.”

The final scrimmage was played last Wednesday, which ended with a loss against RIG Falköping 3-1. During the week, the focus is on the defense and how to succeed. 

“I hope our block and defense game starts well, so we get proof of what we train on. It is important to do a good job, in block defense game.”

Gislaved and Göteborg met during the preseason at the Knallecup. It was victory for Gislaved then 2-0 in sets. But there is nothing that Runesson attaches great importance. 

“It has been a while since we met them last month. Both teams have probably gotten better so I do not count much from the preseason game. It is a new Göteborg we can meet.”

Runesson tipped in Värnamo News on Tuesday that Göteborg is ranked last in the league, just after the preseason ranking release. But he's not sure of victory. 

“I hope we will have this in our mind. But one must be aware that the quality of the Elite Series has been increased substantially over the past three-to-four years. In the past, there were teams you were pretty sure it would win, no matter how you played. But Göteborg is a team with quality.”

He hopes, of course, on a lot of people attend the series premiere. 

“I do not know how people think but it is not so often that there is an Elitserien Premiere in Gislaved. So I hope that people will join us in Gisle Hallen.” 

Will you invite Gislaved crowd at a victory? 

“We will invite Gislaved crowd on a good effort, then we will see how long it lasts.

October 16, 2014

Heavy premier loss for GVK 

Sanna Schultz (11), Jollan Åkerlund (7), Mikaela Larsson (2),
Meghan Sherman (lying) fall to KFUM Göteborg 2-3.

It started so well. 

But it was still a loss for Gislaved VK in the series home premiere. 

Final Score: Gislaved 2, KFUM Göteborg 3 (25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 12-15) 

Gislaved started the game clearly the best. But it was inconsistent. They led by 4-1, dropped to 5-5. They led by 9-5, dropped to 10-12. Everywhere in the first set. But in the end, they could still win the set after trailing 11-15 to 19-17 and eventually win 25-21. 

It was back-and-forth in set two. But finally Gislaved took an eight point lead. It shrank to six points at the set's end but had Gislaved 2-0 in sets and they would just beat match point in the third set. 

But something happened. Errors started coming. Communication broke down. Gothenburg came into the game. To top it all, you had the referees working against you. 

“They were a distraction”, says team captain Mikaela Larsson. “But we did not lose because of them.”

The third set was lost by just four balls, the fourth with two balls. It was evenly played, that Gislaved saw Gothenburg fix a fifth and deciding set. 

A set that probably went down in history as the longest 5th set. At 4-8 came side-change and then also have a 15 minute long break after computer hassles in the scorers’ table. 

Once the game got underway again Gislaved dropped two balls directly. A time-out was taken and the players began to connect. GVK went on a 6-2 run in the next eight points Then Gothenburg used a timeout. Which obviously worked.

Despite the loss, GVK takes away one-point towards the series. A win on GVK’s part.

“We took the first two sets, which allows us to take a point [in the league],” says Larsson.

Match’s Best Players awarded to: Jollan Åkerlund (Gislaved) and Katarina Bagavac (Göteborg)

Stat Leaders: GVK Sanna Schultz (16 kills, 1 ace), Meghan Sherman (11 kills), Lisa Tannerfalk (4 kills, 4 blocks), Jollan Åkerlund (4 blocks, 1 kill); Göteborg Lisa Westby (15 kills, 2 aces), Ellinor Nilsson (9 kills, 1 block, 4 aces), Alma Skarrie (5 blocks)

October 18, 2014

Runesson: "No cow on ice" 

Second straight loss for Gislaveds VK. But GVK stays positive. 

Final Score: Svedala 3, Gislaved 0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18)  

It was the second straight loss. And by a large margin. 

But it was what was positive too. 

GVK enters the court against Svedala

“There is no cow on the ice. Slowly but surely we’re moving forward,” said coach Dick Runesson after the loss. 

Sure. GVK kept the pressure on serve in the  final set and got the block-game involved here and there. 

“We made some progress. We are happy with the current situation. The girls and I are in control of what we do and we are on the right track”

GVK was also on track in every set, but in the middle of each set, Svedala broke away and won quite clear. 

“We get a pretty good start on all sets. And after the first set was not the feeling that we lost by 25-13. It felt we were in the match and were more consistent than [the score showed].”

Runesson thought the team did its best game of the season. 

Read more in the Monday paper about which players deserve hats.

Note: “There is no cow on the ice” is a Swedish proverb meaning: there’s nothing to worry about…yet. This is the shortened version of “there is no cow on the ice as long as its behind is still ashore” which makes more sense. No need to panic yet, we still have time.

Match’s Best Players awarded to: Holly Franks (Svedala) and Meghan Sherman (Gislaved)

Stat Leaders: Svedala Holly Franks (19 kills, 2 blocks), Autumn Wedan (13 kills, 2 blocks), Marissa Collins (3 blocks); GVK Meghan Sherman (7 kills, 1 block, 1 ace), Lisa Tannerfalk (2 blocks, 1 kill, 1 ace)

GVK in the News: Preseason

September 17, 2014

Knallecuppen

Elite team finished in second place in this year's tournament.   

Last Saturday was the group-play where Gislaved beat all the teams in the group 2-0. We had solid and energetic games throughout the day and we were directly qualified to the semifinals on Sunday after winning our group. 

Top L to R: Lisa, Mikaela, Lina, Sanna, Matilda
Middle L to R: Jollan, Emma, Stina, Meghan
Front L to R: Amanda, Jessica

In the semifinal we got to meet Koll from Norway, whom we played in the group-round, and we also won the match 2-0 and with no major worries. The final against Hylte/Halmstad waited and we knew it would be a tough battle. We opened strongly but HH came back and we went together the way up to 18-18. Unfortunately HH finished the strongest and won the set by 25-20. Second game was tough for us, where HH played up and leaned on very tough serves and grew stronger in their blocking while GVK became a bit passive. The set ended with 25-10.

For GVKs, there is a lot to work on but also many bright spots. Today, we will recover with a little calmer activity so we can be running at full speed again tomorrow with both strength and ball training.

Final Score: Gislaved 0, Hylte/Halmstad 2: (20-25, 10-25)

October 8, 2014

Gislaved inconsistent in final training match before series 

Gislaved had their first and only home scrimmage match Wednesday evening against RIG Falköping. And it was immediately apparent that the visiting team had a many more training sessions together than GVK. 

“They [RIG] are young but they have their hours behind them. I do not take it too seriously, I  have to admit”, says head coach Dick Runesson. 

RIG won the first set but the home team responded immediately by winning the second set 25-19. 

“We have a lot to work with”, says Runesson and continues: “There is a lot of confidence. [As a team] we’re not there yet, confidence-wise. But it is not the end to get beat up in this kind of match. It was a good preparation for the start of series production.”

The last two sets went the same style as in the first set. In the last set of Gislaved lost nine of the last eleven balls when guests went from 16-16 to 18-25. 

“Yes, my God. When we play well we play well but when we play bad, we play really bad. But there are many young people in this team”, he says, and continues: “We'll take it for what it is. We know what we need to do and practice to reach the level. I do not think I'll get fired yet”, says Runesson, and laughs. 

Final Score: Gislaved 1, RIG Falköping 3: (17-25, 25-19, 17-25, 18-25)

October 10, 2014

"Cool personalities in Gislaved" 

Top Left: Amanda, Meghan, Jollan, Emma, Mikaela, Jessica
Bottom Left: Elin, Sanna, Lisa, Stina, Matilda, Lina

Gislaved made ​​it to the quarterfinals of the Swedish Championship finals in the spring. To the start of the season in the Elite League, the team's recruiting was successful. “We are a great team with cool personalities”, says coach Dick Runesson. 

“We're obviously looking forward to the series launch, there are games that really challenge us and makes us better. This year the club has chosen a different focus on player recruitment, deciding that we should invest locally and Swedish. There are many reasons for this, the most important for me is that we should take care of and manage the club's own talents. Obviously, we have included players from outside [GVK] because they were of interest to us for a long time.”

New players in the elite squad: Stina Lindstam, Sanna Schultz, Meghan Sherman, Lina Johansson, Jessica Lakatos. 

“This season's goal will be to develop during the season and make sure we are at their best at the end of it. This applies both on a team and individual level” concludes Runesson.

October 14, 2014

New Focus and Gislaveds VBK wants to do without foreign recruits

Foreign players have been a success story in GVK, but there have been drawbacks. Now writing a new chapter.

Head Coach Dick Runesson during a timeout

Liesl Tesch and Christina Perkins wondered "where have they come." They saw only forest everywhere. They had not intended to stay long in the “Woodland”, but remained in Gislaved and lifted GVK from underdog to the top of the Elitseries in 2009. 

There were more foreign players over the years and Gislaved became affectionately known as "G-Town" to the foreign players who joined the club.  

“We have been lucky or maybe skilled to have good foreign players here who worked on the court and socially. It's just one player didn’t fit because she was too selfish,” says sports director Lars Englund. 

GVK has invested overseas and had an average three foreign players in recent years. Before this season, more foreign players contacted the club with a desire to play for GVK. Each were well-known top players [from previous years in the Swedish league].

Nevertheless the club passed on the offer. 

March 2014, head coach Dick Runesson had come to a crossroads. GVK had gone out of the playoffs after a 1-3 series loss against Lindesberg. 

“I thought ‘never again’. I was tired of it. The air had gone out of me.”

But he got new breath and a new challenge. 

“Why would we not get a good Swedish team where the emphasis lies on Swedish players? That was the challenge that made me continue.”

“But really it's that he stinks in English,” interjects Englund, smiling.

This year, Meghan Sherman is the lone foreign player in GVK.

“That's both good and bad to bring in foreign players. They have a competitive mentality where they always go for a win; yet they have had a high expectations of their environment that are not always met. The foreign players must be paid by the club [as a full-time job]; while the Swedish players have not been able to dedicate the same time to volleyball”, says Runesson.

Have the foreign players hindered the Swedish? 

“Not hindered. But it's been nice for the Swedish players that the foreigners make a role for themselves on the team, but you can reverse it and then you can see that the American players sometimes take too much space. It's a balancing act,” says Runesson.

“We will have a wider team this season,” says Englund. 

It will also be cheaper for the club. The foreign players have received apartment and 14,300 SEK in salary each month.

“It also plays a role, of course, that it has cost, but also the Swedish volleyball association now allows three foreign players from non-EU countries in the field, and there is a suggestion to reduce to just two [non-EU players] next season.”

If you fail, you have the two locations to fill with foreign plays in winter, do you do something then? 

“The focus is fixed,” says Englund. 

“At the same time we do not paint ourselves into a corner. We have contact with players abroad. We close no doors,” says Runesson.

Strategy in G-Town: Players

793 points missing. Can GVK find them? 

Linus Petterson, Sports Reporter - Värnamo Nyheter

I stood there and watched the tears fall. 

I wanted to dry them, but decided to leave it alone. 

Decided to let the disappointment rush away, out Lindesberg arena and into the future. 

Seven months later, I glimpsed the first results of what tears have created. 

I see a new GVK. A GVK who has spent the time since the quarterfinal loss to map out a new path for themselves. Foreign imports are largely gone. Left is the home-grown, their own. 

One of the explanations given for the new wave is that the Swedish volleyball association allows only three foreign players from a non-EU country on the field at the same time. Another is that the club must now save for an expensive last-season.

The sharp change in direction has created its problems. 

Neither Kerri Beck, Ariel Usher, or Allison King are on the team. Last year's three leading scorers all chose to take flight to new adventures.

For GVK's part, it means not only lost three players. It also means a loss of 793 points. Points that took the team to the playoffs last year. Points that must now come from others, and in many cases new [players].

What is there to lean on? 

Sanna Schultz has potential. Last year's arrival, Emma Petersson likewise. But to lift any of them to the skies and demand American results would be as stupid as unnecessary. None of them can bear the weight as an Usher, a King, or a Beck did. Not yet. 

Therefore, this season's edition of GVK not characterized by individuals in themselves, but of individuals in groups. 

Starting tomorrow, we will see a collective GVK. Only then can the 793 missing points be downloaded. Only then can the last year fallen tears continued to rush to a bright future.

Sanna Schultz has moved from Gothenburg to Gislaved VBK. 

We asked her if she knows what she's gotten ​​herself into? 

You had volleyball at the highest level in the big city of Gothenburg and then moved to the Gislaved. What have you done? 
Haha, I’ve been asked the same question from my old teammates in Gothenburg, but the truth is that my hometown has always been very close to my heart. Well I can honestly admit I sometimes miss the cake buffets and frequented restaurants in Gothenburg, and of course, my dear sister and her bulldog Greta, who still live there.
What is it that you have been longing for home then? 
Fresh air outside Hestra. I missed the forest, to be able to go out and pick berries or the occasional mushroom. Since it's not completely wrong to go out among the forest trails either. And second-hand [stores] in Gothenburg is unbelievably expensive nowadays, it is much easier to find bargains here in the country as a true Smålander.
How does the forest power you on the court? 

Sanna (11) finds a hole between the RIG block

I usually go for a short walk in nature and "recharge" before every home game. I like to think it gives any advantage on the court. 
Dick Runesson describes you as a "positive jokester"? 

I would probably think that it's mostly because I'm happy. It's not that I goof-off or anything. I'd say I'm an angel compared to my teammates. To get the squad to be happy, I usually bring home-made cakes now and then. Everyone knows a fed sportswoman is a happy sportswoman.