TAUNTON School pupil Georgia McGovern has made her debut in the country’s top national league, England Volleyball Super Eights, representing Team Wessex Ladies against Birmingham.

McGovern, who is 16 and comes from Henlade, near Taunton, was starting setter (the playmaker) for Wessex, who field many players from the USA on volleyball scholarships at Bournemouth University.

Despite a disappointing 3-0 loss for the team, McGovern was voted ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the game.

Her mother, Jane, said: “This is a great achievement, especially as Georgia is currently the youngest British player in the Super Eight League.”

McGovern then represented Team Wessex again last Sunday, away to league leaders Team Durham in the quarter-final of the National Cup.

Wessex managed to take a set off Durham, losing 3-1, and Jane McGovern said: “It was really the highest level volleyball Georgia has played so far.

“We’re looking forward to a rematch in 10 days’ time!”

In the meantime, McGovern continues training with England and has now been included in the senior women’s (under-23s) squad, ahead of their international matches coming up in the spring.

Recently, she also helped Taunton Junior Volleyball Under-16s qualify for the last eight of the England National Championships, in Kettering in March.

Taunton won their group, defeating Cardiff, Beach Academy and Wessex without dropping a set.