Women's BUCS Vs. University of Bristol
Wednesday 11th February 2009
On Wednesday 11th February the BUCS girls went to Bristol to play the first round of BUCS knockouts. The last time a BUCS team had made it to the finals was in 2001. With a squad of only six (and one of those injured) Birmingham felt apprehensive on arriving in Bristol. The sports hall was bedecked with ‘University of Bristol’ banners evidence of Bristol’s first place ranking in their league compared to Birmingham’s fourth.
The winning team would have the chance to compete in the BUCS finals in Sheffield and so both teams were eager for success. Emotions were running high in the Birmingham team as their last match together has been a disappointing and embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Cambridge. Were the last 2 weeks of training enough to prepare the girls to face this top team?
The first set started fairly evenly with neither team managing to get more than a few points ahead at any time. Bristol’s hitting was confirmation of their first place ranking especially as Birmingham were unable to respond to their hard and precise hits through the middle. Although the Birmingham girls were nervous, they were able to construct some strong attacks from Virginija Lesciauskaite and Stefania Lanzini. Anna Blake's setting was consistent throughout and in particular her serving was precise winning an ace in this first and crucial set. Similarly, Emma Goosey’s reliable serving secured the first set for Birmingham at 21-25. Seizing this initial vital advantage settled Birmingham’s nerves allowing them to start the second set with more confidence.
The start of the second set resembled the first with both teams unable to hold the serve for more than a couple of points. At 9-6 to Birmingham Bristol won the serve and managed to win 8 points in a row resulting in them taking a 15-9 lead. Birmingham’s weak passing meant that the sets and ultimately the hits were not of high enough standard to penetrate Bristol’s superb defence. Birmingham had lost concentration and motivation after their first set win and had to refocus to stop Bristol’s increasing lead. Emma Goosey and Aimee NIxon produced some great blocks and hits to get the serve back. At 15-10 to Bristol Katie Allsopp came into serve and, like Anna’s serving earlier, produced some of her strongest serves all season and the girls managed to draw even at 15-15. The rest of the set remained neck and neck but through some great pick-ups and hits from Stefania Lanzini the Birmingham girls managed to claim the set at 23-25.
Even with two sets won, Birmingham were just as nervous in the third set knowing that Bristol would come out strongly. Building on the previous sets Birmingham took the lead at 7-4 and were able to increase this lead until 22-14 at the end of the set. With the win now in view the girls relaxed and lost 6 points in a row in a frightening come back by Bristol. At 22-20 the Birmingham girls pulled together as a team and fought to the end winning the final set 24-26.
This 3-0 win against a top team showed that Birmingham have not really fulfilled their potential this season. Perhaps if a weekend away playing volleyball was the prize for every match then the girls would always play like this?! In the finals at Sheffield the Birmingham girls will compete against the top 8 teams in Great Britain. While feeling proud just to get to the finals, the girls are determined to produce another great performance and hopefully some more great wins. Well done girls!
Match Facts
Competition: BUCS Championship.
Played: Away.
Result: Won 3-0.
Set Scores: 21-25, 23-25, 24-26.