Leeds Metropolitan women’s volleyball team took on the Lancaster First’s with an anxious feel amongst spectators. Leeds’s reputation precedes them in the league, as they are undefeated this year and on a path of destruction.
Lancaster started brilliantly taking a quick two point lead with high spirits. However, Leeds came back quickly and began extending a lead that was becoming difficult to keep up with. Lancaster’s ladies however kept up with the pace of play against a Leeds team that arguably weren’t playing at their usual standard. Although the points were beginning to amount on the Leeds scoreboard with the Lancaster ladies stretched about the court, the home side remained controlled in defence yet narrowly missed opportunities to spike the ball over the net. Lancaster Captain Guoda Cibaitė demonstrated a tremendous effort darting about the court keeping the ball afloat in the defensive sector. Set one finished with the score line at 25-8 to Leeds.
Set two began like the first as Lancaster took the first few points with confidence. In response, Leeds began to heighten their quality of play as the score line began to increase on the side of the visitors. Several errors were costing Lancaster precious points although glimmers of hope came from Lancaster’s Miero who fired in successive serves clinching a few points back. It became apparent that the height of the Leeds ladies was a contributing factor in their ability to score. However, Lancaster’s serves from all players on the field were delivered with great strength, as they took greater control over the rally’s making Leeds feel uncomfortable. Despite this, the set finished 25-7 to Leeds.
Set three played out almost identical to the other two but with some promising moments for Lancaster. Loucca performed well on the right side of the court keeping the ball afloat and assisting progressive attacks. Yip Cheuk Ling of Lancaster also showed excellent defensive skill as Leeds serves were swallowed and played onto the forwards. The set finished once again with 25-7 victory to Leeds.
After the game, Captain Cibaitė talked of her “huge disappointment as the match uncovered certain psychological issues in the team to be dealt with. It always hurts when you lose, but defeat also works as an incentive to strive harder and push yourself to the limits. Sometimes you just need to touch the bottom line to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes.”
