TAUNTON Junior Volleyball Club’s Under-18 ladies have qualified for the last eight of the National Under-18 Cup, after a 12-hour day in the sports hall at Petroc College in Barnstaple.

It was a long and exhausting day, but the team qualified in second place having won three of the four round robin matches.

They started out with a match against hosts and favourites PETROC Beach Academy and won convincingly, 2-0, with Maddie Booker’s performance standing out.

Next up was a meeting with Ashcombe, who have a long history of success, and Taunton started poorly, losing the first set 25-12.

With Catherine Tolley and captain Georgia McGovern to the fore, Taunton fought back to make it 21-21 in the second set, only to be pipped to the last few points to lose the match.

That meant they needed to beat Bishop of Llandaff, only to lose the first set 27-25.

Taunton rallied to take the second set 25-21, and then edged the deciding third, with strong serving from McGovern and Kaja Jankowska.

With a comfortable win over Richmond in their final match, Taunton secured a place in the last eight, out of 30 clubs in England and Wales who entered this year.

Taunton now have six weeks to prepare for their first ever Under-18s appearance in the Last 8s event, on Sunday, March 10.

Coach Jurek Jankowski’s said: “I am an immensely proud coach today. I am very lucky to have a group of hard working, loyal and committed group of girls who work hard for each other.

“Special mention has to be given to a very strong performance on the day by captain (and England player) Georgia McGovern.”

The club is looking for younger players – boys and girls – to join from Years 5-11.

Come and try sessions are free, and the club trains at Wellsprings Leisure Centre on Tuesdays.

Email juniors@volleyballtaunton.org.uk for more details.