Match Report

Oxford M1 vs Bath

Date:
Location:
Iffley Sports Hall, Oxford
Result:
3-0
Players:
Han-Ru Zhou (Setter), Tyler Grant, Bartosz Redlicki (Opposite), Scott Hale, Sven Gusmann, Daivy Babel (Middle), Giovanni Grasso, Jakub Redlicki (Outside), Krzysztof Bar (Outside/ Serve-specialist), Andrew White (Libero, Captain)

Comments

"

Following the success of Varsity the Student men's squad went back to training with renewed vigour with just one objective in mind: Winning the BUCS Trophy. But first Bath had to be dealt with in the semi-final. Confidence was high going into the match but Oxford still had to justify their continued presence in the tournament having reached the semi-finals on the back of two walkovers. Bath too had benefited from a walkover but had gone on to dispatch Bristol in straight sets on the road. Furthermore Bath had put in a reasonable performance at the EVA Student cup, ranking 13th in the nation. All that mattered though was the result on the day, a fact of which Oxford were well aware. Oxford had plenty of time to get warm and soak up the atmosphere courtesy of Bath's late arrival. The team was relatively unchanged from Varsity, Andreas Glawar was missing through injury and Giovanni Grasso had been drafted in to fill the shoes of the absent MVP, Carlo Nicolai, Daivy Babel was also back in the squad, everything else remained the same. Oxford won the toss an opted to serve. It quickly became apparent that the opposition were not the team of two years ago as they gifted Oxford 4 of the first 6 points through net-line infringements and setter carries. They did pick things up after this inauspicious start but not significantly, a tight game by Oxford forced many hitting errors which slowly began to affect other parts of their game, noticeably the passing. Oxford cruised to a 25-13 victory. Going into the second set Oxford rang the changes making use of their strong bench. Bath put up more of a fight in the early stages of the second set, making fewer errors as Oxford let their concentration slip. Towards the middle of the set however Oxford regained their composure and began to extend a lead. It was short lived however as things became erratic and Bath slowly worked their way back into the match. Not to let the set slip away Brian Ball made some crucial changes which brought calm to the Oxford side and they marched on to the two set lead that they deserved. Going into the third set the way the second had ended Oxford showed the lack of concentration which has cost them dear a number of times this year as Bath built themselves a lead. Before things got out of hand however Oxford began to push back and were soon on level terms. Things were tight through much of the set with both side alternately producing good volleyball and committing errors unworthy of their level. Oxford did manage to carve out a lead for themselves in the later stages of the set, which they promptly relinquished though a period of poor passing. Crunch time, 22-20 to Bath. Once again Brian Ball showed his decisiveness in making changes which settled Oxford back into their game allowing them to over turn the deficit and come out on top at 24-23 with the serve. Han-Ru served the ball and the whistle went...rotation error Bath. After a brief moment of confusion the weight of the anti-climax hit. Oxford had done the job against a battling but ultimately inferior Bath side. Oxford will probably ask themselves how they allowed Bath to come so close in the second and third sets, but it is a question which will not linger for long as they turn their attention to the final, to be held in Sheffield against Manchester 1st on 20th March - a challenge but one the team will relish, and no doubt prove more than equal to.

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Report by Andy

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