Five-set thriller ends in defeat

UEL women’s volleyball first team suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the University of Essex in an exhilarating five-set thriller at SportsDock.

Both sides came into the game having won 3-0 against Cambridge and Sussex respectively last week, with neither side dropping a set.

This was always going to be a tightly contested match, with two of the in-form sides from last season battling it out on the court.

And the match had extra special meaning as the UEL girls played in pink tops, helping to raise money for charity.

Essex were quickest out of the blocks but soon found themselves 7-4 behind, before going on to lead for the majority of the set.

However, UEL captained by Cara Olden, went up a gear and gradually got their noses in front before taking the set by 25-20.

After a short interval, Essex stunned the hosts with a clinical display in the second set, which they led for the entirety other than when the score stood at 2-2, to pull it back to one set each.

There seemed to be a trend to this match, with Essex starting each set the brighter side, as some great blocking by Karis Watson contributed to some crucial points.

Essex found their rhythm and built on their second set success by taking the third, 25-21.

But UEL knew that the fourth set was a must-win and with grit and determination they found some rhythm and consistency themselves.

They had been chasing the game since the second set, but the visitors were now chasing the action as the hosts dominated to take it 25-12 and set up a deciding fifth set.

There was nothing between the sides as the tension increased, with the score reaching 15-15 before Essex claimed the last two points to run out winners.

Both sides gave their all in pursuit of victory, in a thoroughly entertaining match, as Essex showed resilience to come from 2-1 down to triumph.

A spirited UEL side gave everything against tough opponents, though, and now face a trip to Bournemouth University, while Essex visit Oxford.