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Men’s Volleyball

The start of the volleyball season has seen the Oxford men’s 1st team enjoy mixed success; getting the season off to an emphatic start with two convincing 3-0 wins against Brookes and Cranfield, then slipping to equally resounding defeats to Cambridge and Nottingham, 0-3 and 1-3 respectively.

The team’s shaky start to the season had made the game against Loughborough crucial if the team were to turn the season around. Loughborough on the other hand, currently second in the league, were looking to close the gap on Cambridge at the top. Thus both teams had much to gain from the match, making for a tantalising contest.

The Oxford team were coming into the game full of confidence on the back of a great performance at the weekend in the qualification tournament for the EVA student cup, which saw them win all four of their group stage matches and progress to the final tournament, to be held in February.

And so with confidence and determination the Oxford team stepped onto court to face the team currently ranked 2nd in both the BUSA league and the EVA student cup and clear favourites to win the game.

Both teams started the game with intensity and after some good all round play from both sides the scores were level at 7-7. As the set continued the standard of play remained high from both teams, though unfortunately for Oxford, Loughborough were able to carve out a lead, bringing the game to 24-19 in Loughborough’s favour.

Oxford salvaged 3 set points through some excellent serving from Bartek Redlicki before eventually losing the set 25-22. Despite having lost the first set the team still felt that the game was very much there for the taking. So with renewed vigour Oxford stepped out onto the court for the second set.

Carrying forward the momentum that they had begun to build up at the end of the first set, Oxford managed to force their way to an early 4 point lead at 8-4. This they managed to maintain throughout the set hanging on to win it 25-21.

Having clawed their way back into the game Oxford allowed themselves to relax a little going into the 3rd set. Loughborough on the other hand, vented their frustration at having lost the previous set by putting in a very strong defensive performance which paved the way for some excellent offensive play, particularly from hitters Dove and Winter.

Loughborough’s redoubled effort on the court showed as they dominated throughout much of the set eventually finding themselves with a comfortable lead of 9 points late in the game at 22-13. Again some great serving, this time from the other twin Jakub Redlicki, as well as some dogged defensive play saw Oxford pull the score back to 23-20. Unfortunately in the end they couldn’t keep up the pressure and slumped to defeat at 25-20.

Once again, however, the Oxford team refused to concede defeat and on the back of the late push in the 3rd set came out firing in the 4th. Darek Nehrebecki, the captain, led by example, hammering shot after shot past the Loughborough block, to which their back-court players had no answer. In what seemed like no time at all the Oxford team had stormed to a 13-6 lead.

The task appeared to be simple from this point onwards, however, when the Loughborough setter, Tsui, came up to serve he was able to put the already struggling Oxford Libero, Andy White, under pressure by serving ruthlessly and consistently short. As White failed to come up with a solution, Loughborough managed to turn the game around, bringing the score to 19-16 in their favour.

The frustration of the Oxford team was evident and it looked for a moment as though they might throw it all away but they dug deep and were able at last to find their rhythm again, managing to finish strongly closing out the set 25-22.

So after four epic sets, which had seen both teams dominate periods of the game, it had come down to a fifth and final set. This time the set would be shorter, first to 15 only. Oxford knew that they would have to come out firing on all cylinders to have a chance. Loughborough’s hunger to win was equally evident as both teams came out in the final set giving their all.

Unfortunately for Oxford, Loughborough’s hitters were back at their best for the start of the set and Loughborough we able to carve out a 7-3 lead. Oxford pushed hard in an attempt to close the gap but could not manage to do so. After having come so far and come achingly close, the Oxford team fell to a 15-9 defeat in the final set of an extremely hard fought match.

Despite the obvious disappointment at having lost such a hard fought and crucial game it is not all doom and gloom for the Oxford team. The season is just getting started with opportunities for revenge.

There is the student cup in February, as well as the BUSA championships, giving the team the opportunity to prove their credentials as one of the top teams in student volleyball. All this is not to mention the Varsity match, which will be held next term, and promises to be a great event.

Final score: Blues 2, Loughborough 3

 

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