World Volley Expo- Banijans improve to 8-0-0 as Matong Sports enjoys quality TV ratings
VILARME, NORTH OHARAN VALLEY UNION- The Lionesses have continued their spectacular start at the World Volley Expo, as they are now the last unbeaten team at the tournament- winning 8 matches from 8 in the group stages of this tournament. The schedule has been backloaded, yes, but the Lionesses have been consistent against every team that they've played- which has allowed them to reach 8-0, only losing three sets throughout the entire tournament so far. The Lionesses have continued their historic volleyball success in the Olympics and brought it to this tournament, showcasing their skillset against all comers here in the North Oharan Valley Union. We have firmly established ourselves as legitimate contenders to win the big trophy at the end of the tournament, and have already punched our ticket directly to the quarterfinals- not having to deal with the Play-in Round.
On Matchday 8, the Lionesses faced their toughest test yet- a game against the host nation, at the PayCheck Dome. The home fans really turned out and, quite obviously, dominated the crowd- the chants were loud, and they were consistent- the fans trying to drive their favorite players to victory. But the Lionesses were ready for it- even if they loved the atmosphere. "The fans were fantastic- knowledgeable, loud, and positive." Said the starting Libero and team captain, Jainaba Condé. "A hell of an environment- it's the type of environment why the WVE is being held here to begin with." Yes, indeed it is. But the team had to buckle down- don't get intimidated, simply put your head down and go to work. And that's exactly what we did.
They came out quickly- the hosts scoring the first four points of the opening set. The HC used her first timeout early, knowing her players were a little rattled. But they calmed down, and really got to playing. They were able to rally in that first set, and earn a 25-19 victory. It was the second set that was the best one- back and forth, both teams playing at an extremely high level. However, a stellar block by Awa Camara (who's still in college!) in a 25-25 game was able to set up the victory for Banija. We got the serve back, and a pair of spikes, by the team's youngest player, Ndey Ouattara (who's just 18 years old!), were able to get Banija the two points they needed to win that set, 27-25. That game drained the life out of the hosts for a relatively simple win in the third set.
The team has one more match left- Baker Park is on the docket for Matchday 9. It's a huge matchup for the two nations- no less a prize than the winner finishing on top of Group A. "It's going to be a spectacular match." The Banijan HC said. "We're rivals in so many sports- obviously, not that long ago, Banija and BP just played in a Final at the World Lacrosse Championships. For us to draw on that rivalry in this sport- it's great for our nations, it's great for the sport."
Matong Sports, the broadcaster for the tournament in Banija, is particularly excited. When Banijan Public TV didn't make a bid for the broadcast rights for this tournament, Matong Sports got it. It was expected to be relatively minor- they got the rights from volleyball authorities at a cut rate price. And Banija's opening three games even were simply streamed, not shown on TV. But as the team kept winning, demand got higher to watch the team- and Matong Sports put Matchdays 4 & 5 on its premium channels- and now, since MD6, all of Banija's games have been shown on its basic cable channel. Baker Park's and Quebec's games, as well, have been shown on its premium TV channels- while the rest of the tournament is available via its streaming services. Their massive game on Matchday 9, against Baker Park, will be shown on Matong Sport's over-the-air TV network that can be reached with simply an antenna- the first time ever non-Olympic volleyball has had that kind of reach in Banija.
"People said it was a risk for us to invest in volleyball- but we have seen success." Said the Matong Sports CEO. "Banijans love a winner, and this team's success has done wonders for this sport. But the support has always been there- tons of young women and girls play volleyball in Banija, and this is simply the opportunity to capitalize on that." The game will air live in primetime in Banija, the only primetime game, in the Banijan time zone, of the group stages.