Leeds RGA 1 - 3 Tendring Men

19:25, 25:23, 20:25, 26:28

Report by Matt Gagner

The Tendring Men had a long journey on the weekend driving all the way to Sheffield and then Leeds. The weather began to get colder the more North we went but that was not the case for the team. After a great night of team bonding after the 3-0 win over Sheffield the Tendring Men were ready for a hard fought game.

The first set was a rough start for the Tendring Men as they started down 7-2. Sonny Chaney went back on the service line and brought the game back to tie at 7-7. The team then fought the whole entire game until the end. A big substitution subbing Zotovich and Chabe-Ferret on the court, to add a different dynamic to the set, helped get Leeds off guard as the Tendring Men fought to win the set.

In the second set Tendring started off to a rough start once again and struggled. They continued to keep at Leeds the whole entire set. The second set had a lot of side out scoring involved. Teams were trading points back and forth the whole entire set at one point. Tendring was down 20-24 in the second set and Gagner worked it back to 23-24 until a missed serve gave the set away. This was Tendring’s first set loss of the year.

Before the third set the team discussed new game plans to use and help adjust to beat Leeds. The team really pulled together in the third set. They did not less this loss frustrate them, instead they used it as motivation to come out hot in the set. It was the best start of the game for the men. They went up and did not look back for most of the match. Chaney had a long service and kept putting the ball down in the middle. The back row was very effective from Vorderer as he kept getting kills from all places on the court. Morawski was using very smart shots to continue the rally and getting crafty kills. McLaughlin did a great job of distributing the ball along with adding a few kills of his own as well. This all starts with Steyn in the back row passing great balls and making amazing one-handed digs. Smethurst (Moose) had many kills this set using the block and putting the ball away. The same sub was made in the third set as well as to have Zotovich and Chabe- Ferret close out the game.

The fourth set was a nail-biter the whole way through. Both teams kept fighting until the end and kept a very high intensity and focus on the court. The Tendring Men were ready for this battle and continued to persevere through the long rallies. With very important kills by Gagner Chaney, Vorderer, and Smithurst in the fourth set the Tendring Men won the battle. After the game the team was in great spirits knowing they played a great match, had a fun weekend of bonding and volleyball, and most importantly kept the unbeaten streak alive.

COME ON TENDRING