Tendring Girls Pipped At The Post

Tendring 2 - 3 Herts 

25-23, 19-25, 12-25, 25-22, 15-17

Report by Hannah Robinson

After watching Northampton lose to Herts, the Tendring ladies moved into the next match of the day feeling they would need to play with the same intensity. Herts had a large court presence and a big attack so Tendring would need to focus on their own game. The first set began and it was point for point as Amanda Pollard started confidently through the middle and a couple of changes moved Emily Mansfield to the opposite position and Hannah Robinson hitting through the outside. 

It was clear that more consistent serving and serve receive was the key to Tendring’s success. With any good pass came a crushing attack that left any questions of Tendring’s determination and ability answered. Herts were a team head and shoulders above others that Tendring had faced, and the ladies had to work hard to win the first set 25-23.

The second set went the same way with neither team getting more than 2 points ahead at any time. Liz White and Robyn Sawyer were creating some good angles through the middle and easily finding holes in the Herts defence. Another option through the wings from Hannah Robinson and Emily Mansfield meant that Herts were unsure who to block, but Herts took advantage of their best hitter and the Tendring ladies were unable to respond. After a fight Tendring lost the second set 25-19.

Tendring began to show they were tired in the third set as they made unforced errors and exposed themselves to the brutal Herts attack. After losing the set 25-12, Tendring needed to reassess their tactics and prepare for a fight, as they were not going to hand over a win. Reverting back to some confident and strong serve receive and by matching Ziverte against their hitter, the Tendring ladies were able to cut out the Herts attack and create some positive and intelligent shots. Strong serving was needed to disrupt the Herts attack which was provided by Becky Saunders. After a run of serves that allowed Tendring to become level from 6 points down, the home team were very much back in the game which was confirmed by silence from the other side of the net. Tendring fought hard to keep attacking and took the fourth set 25-22.

Entering into their tenth and final set of the day, Tendring were tired, but still hungry for the win. The two matches played today have finally given Tendring a chance to fight for their position and pull out all the stops in every aspect of the game. If they were going to beat Herts they needed to
go for every shot. Tendring swapped ends halfway through the set ahead of Herts and were still looking in control. They knew where the Herts attack was going to come from and so Harris matched up Ziverte and White to create our strongest block. Some top class volleyball and unyielding commitment from both teams meant that it was point for point to the end. Tendring finally managed to pull away from Herts and soon it was match point in favour of Tendring. Unfortunately Herts’ attack proved too much for Tendring and they took the final set 17-15.

Tendring suffered their first two loses of the season, but having taken both matches to 5 sets, they were able to gain points in their favour. After a win from both return fixtures, Tendring will be right back at the top of the league.