Lancaster took a straight sets win in the mixed volleyball, held on the Sunday afternoon. During the game it was confirmed that York had emerged victorious in the competition as a whole, but there was still a lot at stake for the volleyball teams.
The Saturday had seen Lancaster win three sets to two in the male match, but York win a reverse in the women’s bout. This match was pivotal for volleyball pride.
York served to start, but threw straight into the net, unsettling the home team. Lancaster cruised into a 4-0 lead, and this remained the case for most of the set. A York time-out helped steady the ship, and they pulled eight points back without reply to draw level at twenty-three apiece. But Lancaster held their nerve, and took the first set 26-24.
This was a close as York got to winning, and failed to sustain a considerable lead for the rest of the match. Lancaster took another early lead in the second set, and even a squash ball from the near courts flying onto the pitch couldn’t unsettle them. There were a few nerves that York’s bouncebackability would return as they clawed back a few points, but Lancaster just pulled further ahead and won the set.
The third set actually brought about some of the most intense rallies, with players from both sides flying in all directions of the court. York started this set on top, but failed to sustain this as Lancaster edged back in control. A York time-out when they were down 21-19 did nothing to bring them back in front, and Lancaster took the points with a final epic rally. York may have won the war during this match, but it didn’t take anything away from Lancaster’s impressive battle.
