Four-Man Intermediate Semi-Finals Match

The Rally Monkeys and All Sets are Off faced each other Wednesday night to determine who would move on to the finals of the intermediate, B skill level tournament at Dig & Dive in WilmingtonNorth Carolina.

"Four-man tournament play begins between "Rally Monkeys" and "All Sets are Off" Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)"
“Four-man tournament play begins between “Rally Monkeys” and “All Sets are Off” Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)”

Play was hampered most of the evening by a steady drizzle of rain that made things a bit more difficult for the players to get good control. Once the rain tapered off, play improved with some great shots.

"Rally Monkeys" prepares to serve to "All Sets are Off," Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)"
“Rally Monkeys” prepares to serve to “All Sets are Off,” Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)”

The Rally Monkeys made great use of their serve the entire night scoring numerous points with hard overhand shots.

"Rally Monkeys" concentrates on returning the serve. Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)"
“Rally Monkeys” concentrates on returning the serve. Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)”

The Rally Monkeys also did a great job returning serve the entire match. The back   line players continually were able to dig the serve so teammates could get under the ball for accurate sets.

 "All Sets are Off" goes for the kill shot, Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)"
“All Sets are Off” goes for the kill shot, Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)”

The kill shots were a big part of the Rally Monkeys success. Most went unblocked and if a defender did attempt the block, the front line players easily poked the ball out of their reach.

"Rally Monkeys" defeat "All Sets are Off" 21-15 21-13 to advance to the tournament finals, Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)"
“Rally Monkeys” defeat “All Sets are Off” 21-15 21-13 to advance to the tournament finals, Wednesday, Dec.2, 2015, in Wilmington, NC at Dig & Dive. (Photo by: Jeffrey Boulden)”

All Sets are Off kept the score close but in the end fell in defeat 21-15 and 21-13. Their problems returning serve and setting the ball limited their ability to move on to the next round. The tournament will resume next week starting at 6:30 p.m. at Dig & Dive.