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Valiant uni outplayed in Yorkshire derby

Men's Volleyball

Despite a valiant attempt to salvage the third set, and with it some consolation; the Leeds University Men’s Volleyball team was soundly beaten by the Sheffield Hallam second team last Wednesday evening.

 Club captain Luke Bristow pointed to the fact that this is an inexperienced team by way of explaining their losing start to the season. Mainstays of last year’s team have moved on, leaving Bristow and Jerome Poppe, his deputy, as the only remnants from the team’s previous incarnation.
    This inexperience does, unfortunately, show. Too many points were lost to defensive miscommunications, and scoring opportunities went frequently unconverted through a combination of wayward setting, mis-timed striking and, admittedly, strong and synchronised blocking at the net by Hallam.
    It is undoubtedly this cohesion, evident in the defensive play of the visitors, that Leeds lacked. They led the third set until Hallam finally levelled to eighteen all, the team developing a rhythm of play, and perhaps a feel for one another.
    There were moments from which Bristow and Poppe can take heart, though. As well as the burgeoning display… Continue reading...