BARTON Blockers under-18 girls team put in a resounding performance to seal their spot in the last 16 of the National Championships.

That came after a dominant showing, when Baysgarth school was chosen to host round one of the Under-18 UK Volleyball National Championships 2010.

The team, made up of Nicola Knapton, Sophie Roberts, Lizzy Toyne, Sophie Bartup, Jasmine McNaught and Kayley Wright – competing for the first time – battled it out with York VC, Nottingham Rockets and Leicestershire.

But despite being dwarfed in terms of reputation by the big city clubs, Barton came up trumps, brushing aside the challenge of the Leicestershire outfit in straight sets – 25-1 in the first and 25-5 in the second.

Then came a draw with York, losing the first set 20-25 before Nicola pulled off a match-saving return when York looked destined for victory.

That kept the Blockers in the competition and, although they lost to Nottingham – who remained unbeaten on the day – because they beat Leicestershire by more points than York, and as they scored more than the latter against Nottingham, it was the Blockers who progressed through to the last 16, to be held in London, in January.