TAUNTON Junior Volleyball Club have qualified for the last eight in the England Volleyball Under-18 National Championships for the second year in a row.

They overcame a tough pool in the second round in London last weekend, facing two home teams, including the defending champions.

After a slow start in their first match, they beat Wessex 2-1, but this was followed by a disappointing performance against the Richmond A team.

That meant that the final match against Richmond B was a winner-takes-all affair.

Taunton won the first set and then, after falling behind in the second set, the girls showed great resolve to come back and win it 27-25.

This victory sealed a place in the final eight, which will be held in Kettering in March.

The Taunton squad was made up of: Jurek Jankowski (coach), Ekin Ozerciyes, Catherine Tolley, Georgia McGovern (captain), Holly Lovell-Fox, Bethan Bailey, Elliot Lipscombe (asst coach, Amy Hart, Sofia Riga, Maddie Booker, Kaja Jankowska, Tejah Mossman