Ladies 2 keep on winning

On Saturday 2 December, Oxford Ladies 2 showed true fighting spirit, not only against the freezing sports hall, but against Oxford University ladies in a very exciting match. 

Oxford v Oxford University
Having hosted the first match, the team – consisting of Tatiana as captain, Annette, Amra, Izzy, Fliss, Guilia, Andrea and Anna – found it tough to warm up and start well against an already warm and enthusiastic student team. The first set was very close and, even after good volleyball, we lost the set 25-23. 

We started the second set with more determination and focus; despite the tough serves from Oxford University, great blocking and tipping by Fliss and Andrea kept us in the game. We were pretty much neck and neck and getting pretty panicky on court when it got to 23-24 but great setting by Annette and simple volleyball did the trick. At 28-29, Tati served a brilliant ace on the back line to give Oxford ladies 2 the set, 30-28! 

The third set started shakily for Ladies 2, losing a few points on serve receive but we finally pulled away with the help of Guilia's great serving and powerful attacks at the net, winning the set 15-2. A totally nerve-wracking but fantastic game for Ladies 2 showing true character and real mental strength!

MVP, as voted by the other team: Tati.

Oxford v Newbury
After emptying almost all reserves during the previous game, we put a few different players on court. Amra came in as a setter, Anna joined out the outside along with Hanna, who had just arrived from the airport. 

The team took a while to find its feet, giving Newbury a 7-2 lead. Seb called a time-out and we then slowly but surely began to catch up, eventually winning the set 25-19.    

Yet again, we started the second set much stronger and never let Newbury into the game. Excellent passing coupled with stronger serving and better finishing meant we won the set convincingly, 25-12. 

MVP, as voted by the other team: Hanna. 

(Written by Izzy)