Despite a last minute relocation of the Battambang round of games to ICRC Kampong

Speu Center as a result of last week's torrential rains, the second round of the

CNVLD Volleyball Championship League, held on August 19 and 20, saw exceptionally

high-quality, competitive sport as 15 teams battled it out across the country knowing

that next year will see the establishment of an A+B League along with Cambodia's

participation in the WOVD 2007 Volleyball World Cup.

All positions are open for Cambodian National Volleyball team membership, which will

be selected in early 07, and Cambodia intends to make a serious run at the No 1 position

in the world.

Traditional arch rivals the Sunway Dragons and Siemens Demons continue to hold the

top two positions with fiery interchanges on the court as the norm. However, hot

on their heels are the DHL Siem Reap Eagles and the Battambang Tigers along with

the Kratie Dolphins and Team Canada Kampong Speu showing excellent form making it

an open competition with another four rounds to go before the finals at the Olympic

Stadium on December 3.

Two teams to keep a close eye on are ISPP Takeo Falcons and the SO SOYA Kampong Chhnang

Rhinos. Both teams are steadily moving upwards and managed the seldom-achieved feat

of taking a set from four-time league Champions the Sunway Hotel Dragons.

Newcomers the AUSTCARE Pailin Hawks are another team to watch and are expected to

make the top eight in their first year in Cambodia's elite-level Volleyball League

Championship competition.

Balltalk readers are reminded that 70 percent of the CNVLD Volleyball athletes are

landmine survivors, however, the CNVLD challenges any non-disabled Volleyball team

in the nation to dare to take on a CNVLD National Volleyball League Team.

Next round of games is on September 9 and 10. Refer to the CNVLD website for match

details and standings: www.standupcambodia.org