The new cup format for 2024/25 meant that there was no deprive for teams who loose in the first round of the cup so therefore it was win or out. We were drawn against University of Nottingham who finished 6th in the 2023/24 Men’s Super League, though a tough fixture we had the home advantage. It was rocky start in Division 1 for the men loosing their first three fixtures but coming off the back of their first win vs Lincoln Cannons meaning heads were high and our confidence was back.
We were aware of the task at head, after loosing to similar opponents Round 1 of the 2023/24 Cup to Richmond Docklands, it was going to be a tough game. It looked like destiny was going to repeat itself as the men lost the first set 25-16 but with the pressure lifting the scene quickly changed. After we took an early lead Nottingham struggled to recover even with a last gasp fight back the set finished 25:23, 1 set a piece. The third set followed the same course, an early lead was matched by a steady stream of side outs but once again we held off our Super League opponents. The next set, another repeat but Nottingham really stepped it up and evidenced how easy a game can swing but for the third time we weathered the Storm and took the fourth, and final set, 25:23!
It was SHOCK victory but one that was fully deserved and for all the witnessed the match it was a specitcal of volleyball at the highest level! Our heads now turn to the Last 16 where we were drawn a more favourable tie against Division 1, Lincoln Cannons, even though our head to head record against them is 2:0 we can’t rest on our laurels. The win against Nottingham will mean nothing if we can’t back it up with another against Lincoln.
