In a two-hour epic, the Women’s Volleyball team showed stamina to overcome a strong Loughborough. Only last week Cambridge had lost 3-0 to the same opposition but with coach Jon Clarke back on the sideline after two weeks out, the Blues were determined to turn it around. “They’re going down” claimed captain Sarah Greasley, with Clarke adding soberly “I think we can beat them at home.” It was set for an all out battle and that is what we got.

Despite many good players, Cambridge has had problems playing as a team as ten of the fifteen strong squad are new this year. Luckily the game began slowly, allowing the team to settle, and the first set had the feel of a warm up. The Blues eventually took the set but play was formulaic and neither side managed anything more than a run through of the classic three hit combination.

The second set was a different kettle of fish; the tempo increased as play became more fluid and both sides made some impressive kills. Neither side could break away and the set became something of a marathon. Even with Blue substitute Petra Schwalie’s presence at the net Loughborough eventually overpowered Cambridge to clinch it 34-32. When the away team took this momentum into the third set to lead 2-1 Cambridge were in danger of letting the match slip.

From then on it was a classic underdog’s comeback. Remembering the previous week’s defeat the Blues made a firm decision it would not reoccur, taking the fourth set 25-16. Loughborough, with no coach and only two substitutions, had no answer to a galvanized opposition. The away side’s star player, Laura Hodgkinson, held the key to their attack and when Cambridge closed her out, her team ran out of ideas.

The much louder, more motivated team, Cambridge confirmed their win 15-10 in the final set. A determined display, with spectacular diving saves allowing the home team to keep the ball in play, exhausted the visitors who could not keep up.

Afterwards a smiling Greasley was pleased with the performance. Loughborough may not be the GB training ground it once was but is still one of the strongest teams around. All bodes well for Cambridge’s hopes of making it to the championship this year.