Men's BUCS Vs. University of Cambridge
Wednesday 14th October 2009
Following an undefeated league season and promotion to the top tier of university volleyball in the midlands the UoB Men were expecting a tough opener against Cambridge.
Played in the cauldron that is the New Gym it was expected that Brum wuold start stronger due to their familiarity with what is a somewhat odd place to play volleyball. However it was Cambridge that took an early lead, largely as a result of some basic errors from Brum. Faced with a 6 pooint deficit Marian Pyter found some rhythm with his setting and his hitters started to make better decisions on the attack. With this it soon became clear that Cambridge could not match the home side in terms of their transition from defence to attack. With the scrambling defence that has become a virtue of this UoB team many seemingly lost points were turned around. In this vein Brum managed to steal the first set 25-21 in which they had always been playing catch up.
Brum gained confidence in the second set and developed an early lead. Captain Pete Murray, playing at opposite led by example with a solid display in both attack and defence. Outside hitters Andy Herrod-Taylor and Tom Hirt both used the angles well to expose the gaps and weak players in the Cambridge defence. Brum let their focus slip momentarily and suddenly Cambridge were back in the set. But with 5 of the 6 players on court remaining from last season Brum were able to pull together and find a way out of the set 25-19 and lead 2-0.
The third set was much the same as the second. Brum saw a lead disintegrate before their eyes as Cambridges best hitter once again found his form. Some solid passing allowed Marian Pyter to set to big middle Jake Lambert who showed some form of his own, rising majestically and hammering the ball down on the attack line. This raised the whole team and again Brum regained control of the set and won 25-22. Despite an edgy finish they managed to wrap up a 3-0 win and started the season as they mean to go on.
Match Facts
Competition: BUCS Midlands League One.
Played: Home.
Result: Won 3-0.
Set Scores: 25.21, 25.19, 25.22.