TAUNTON School student Georgia McGovern was called up to England’s senior volleyball team, for the 50th Anniversary Volleyball game against Scotland’s national team.
The 16-year-old, who plays volleyball for Taunton Juniors and Team BUWessex, and has already represented England more than 50 times at various age groups, was by far the youngest player in the match.
Paul Welsh, England assistant coach, said: “England won 3-1 and Georgia, earning her first full international senior cap, played a cameo role for the first one-and-a-half sets, serving England out of trouble on a couple of occasions.
“After an unexpected injury to the starting setter, Georgia continued as the setter [playmaker].
“She showed grit and determination to see the team to victory in the historic event.”
The following day the England team played a combined squad of Team Northumbria and Durham athletes (the first and second-placed teams in the domestic Super 8 League).
McGovern, as the starting setter, had another great game with some strong serving and distribution, allowing England to run out 3-0 winners.
Next up for McGovern is an event in Croatia, and she will then represent England Under-19s in the autumn.
At home, Georgia helped BUWessex avoid relegation last month with a crucial playoff victory against Cambridge, and was awarded Coaches Player of the Year.
STAR: Georgia McGovern in action for Taunton. Pic: Volleyball Taunton/Tim Norbury
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THE South West’s Under-17 boys and girls teams both performed well at this year’s Volleyball England’s Inter-Regional Championships.
The event took place at the National Volleyball Centre, Kettering, from May 26-28.
The South West Under-17 girls – with Volleyball Taunton well represented in the squad – placed third, with wins over the East (2-1), East Midlands (2-0), London (2-0) and West Midlands (2-0).
Their only defeats came against champions North West and runners-up South East.
The South West Under-17 boys went one better, finishing second.
They topped Group A with 2-0 wins against the East, East Midlands, South East and Yorkshire.
A 2-0 semi-final victory over London sent them into the final, but the West Midlands proved too strong, winning 2-0 (25-14, 25-23).
In the Under-15 event, the South West boys and girls both finished fifth.
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