Tendring Ladies vs Pulsepoint London Orcas
23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25+12, 15-7
Report by Chris Frost
It was a game that I feel both teams had been looking forward to for quite some time. It would be played at Tendrings venue and it was a cracking match of volleyball.
With a big crowd to support the home team, it wasn't enough to help Tendring start well, as Orcas came out flying and showed their ability by gaining an 8-1 lead through strong serving. Tendring were never able to claw back the disadvantage and Orcas kept hustling and playing impressive block defence and transitional play which Tendring couldn't find an answer for. Orcas deservingly won the set 25-23.
The second set was another good set of volleyball in which Orcas dominated proceedings through solid serving and consistent volleyball. Tendring were able to compete for vast amounts of the set until one rotation caught them off guard and Orcas pounced with some strong offensive play and very solid back court play to take a comfortable lead and win the set 25-21.
The third set was now or never for the team. They would either lose 3-0 or get back into the game. The team started well, communication improved and belief increased with the team being able to start shutting out the Orcas account. Molly Van Essen then helped the team tick over with another solid performance making the right decision at the right times. Fran Smith-Daye helped with some big and also intelligent swings, as did Channel Nelson and Fernanda Guimaraes. The team functioned more fluidly in block defence which allowed for momentum to be built and they took the Third set 25-17
The team was encouraged to not let the concentration slip, and the girls delivered by starting the set very positively leading to the first technical timeout. Amelia Stamp helped keep the team calm and focused and Karis Watson and Jacky Skeen were able to swing through the middle and build confidence. Tendring cut out the errors they made in previous sets and took the set 25-12.
This took the game into the 5th set in which anything can happen in such a short space of time. Tendring were pushed hard and the points were long and tense. Tendring were able to gain the advantage at the change and managed to shut out any hopes of a comeback late in the fifth. A very good game in which Orcas severely tested our girl and big credit goes to them. It was a good spectacle for the crowd and they played very well. We look forward to the return fixture at their venue and hope for another good game second time around.
Tendring won 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-12, 15-7)
MVP was awarded to #10 Chaniel Nelson