Cup win ensures BUCS Women stay unbeaten!
Wednesday 28th March 2012
BUCS women achieve the perfect season
The BUCS women maintained their unbeaten season this Wednesday by winning the conference cup in a tense 5 setter against a tough Cranfield side. Having secured a win against Cranfield earlier in the season in a league game, confidence was fairly high amongst the team. However, a hostile away crowd and a confident Cranfield side, found Birmingham facing their most challenging game of the season.
Birmingham started strong with great passing from Anne Thyssen allowing powerful hits to come from all positions on court through precise setting from Vittoria Silvestri. Whilst still seeing some displays of fantastic defence work from Cranfield, Birmingham stayed strong and finished the first set 25-19.
Although, the next 2 sets saw Cranfield come on court with a new found sense of confidence and aggression. With the support of their large home crowd, Cranfield produced some outstanding attacking play and this combined with a few Birmingham mistakes at key points saw Cranfield take the second set 25-22. The third set saw great attacking and defensive play from both sides, but with neither seeming to have the edge to out-play the other. Birmingham gained and lost a series of set points. Despite great hitting from Carlotta Giacche and Emma Connolly, the Cranfield defence seemed to pick up every ball and find gaps in the Birmingham passing unit. This, combined with a few service errors, saw Cranfield finish the set 33-31.
Leaving Birmingham in a vulnerable position, the away side fought with new found passion to finish the set 25-18, pulling themselves back into the match spectacularly with powerful blocks from Ozkok and Dean, combined with accurate setting from Vallerga and powerful serving from Stefanowicz. With momentum on their side, Birmingham walked out on court rightly expecting a fight for the win. With both sides on top form Birmingham managed to tip it and finished the final set with a 15-13 win maintaining their perfect record this season!
Match Facts
Competition: BUCS Conference Cup.
Played: Away.
Result: Won 3-2.
Set Scores: 19-25, 25-22, 33-31, 18-25, 13-15.