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University of York Men’s 1sts 0 – 3 Leeds Metropolitan Carnegie 1sts
Having had a tough start to the new season, this week saw York University men’s volleyball home against Leeds Met, arguably the strongest university team in the country. The match was a chance to inflict revenge on a team that beat us very convincingly at the beginning of term and to prove that York is a force to be reckoned with.
The match got off to a difficult start, with the Leeds team hitting very hard and dominating the first half of the first set. However, a spirited York team went point-for-point for a spell, showing that they were both technically and mentally capable of competing with the away team. Despite eventually losing the first set 25-16, York went into the second set full of confidence.
Unfortunately, Leeds’ accurate serving and a falling team spirit caused York to capitulate in the second set, losing 25-4. The team seemed to stop enjoying the game and swapped ends for the third set looking weary and beaten. The pre-set team talk, led by captain Janis Koknevics, focused on York playing simple volleyball and, above all, everyone enjoying the match. These inspirational words seemed to have an immediate impact with York taking an early 4-0 lead. Some pin-point passing from the Libero, Lukas Theoni and savage hitting from Jonas Pollex lifted the team spirit once more, and both teams were neck and neck throughout the set.
For the first time in the match, Leeds Met looked like they could be beaten as York edged towards a remarkable set win. However, the strongest team in the country demonstrated why they reached the student cup final last year and pulled away, winning the set 25-22. Despite a 3-0 loss, York showed that they have developed as a team and they showed fight and determination, something which should stand them in good stead as they progress through the season.
Speaking after the game, club president Joshua Chipman stated that “Leeds Met is the best university team in the country and as expected the game was a difficult one for us. Despite a very poor second set our performance - particularly in the final set - was one to be proud of; we showed that we have both the technical ability and mentality to play against major teams”.
Team Sheet: Opposite: Joshua Chipman. Setter: Thomas Brackpool. Setter: Amedeo Santono. Outside: Michal Kovac. Outside: Jonas Pollex. Outside: Rahul Kanchi. Middle: Jan Vohryzek. Middle: Janis Koknevics. Libero: Lukas Thoeni.
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