Set 1
UTSSU - Weeber, Bowers, Savea, Hutchinson, Hellmich, Frostick, Lalic (L)
Blues - Praski, Watt, Bates, Skipper, Fenwick, Sloane, McMillan (L)
Bronze Medal action is underway here at Craigie Leisure Centre, with the Uni Blues taking on UTSSU. A few changes to the Blues starting line up with Shae Sloane taking over the setting role and McMillan starting as libero. Blues have the slight advantage with the lead, thanks to some great blocking from Praski & Watt, 9-7. Side out to the Blues, and 2 quick serves from Praski and the Blues have extended their lead to 5 points, 12-7 as UTSSU call for a time out.
Time out has worked a treat for UTSSU as they get the side out and then go on a scoring run to level the points at 12-12, forcing the Blues to take a time out. Its a very up and down this from the teams as UTSSU surge ahead with the lead, but at 15-12 up, the Blues now shift a gear and take over the lead. They extend it out to 20-16, before a service error gives UTSSU the side out. A huge block from Praski on Frostick brings up 22 points for the Blues as UTSSU take their second time out. Blues surge ahead now and get to set point, and its a kill from Skipper to finish the first set for the Blues 25-19.
Set 2
UTSSU - Woodhouse, Bowers, Blowes, Hutchinson, Hellmich, Frostick, Lalic (L)
Blues - Praski, Watt, Bates, Skipper, Fenwick, Sloane, Winzar (L)
Two changes for UTSSU, Woodhouse to set and Blowes replacing Savea. UTSSU start better this set and and take the lead holding a 2 point buffer at 8-6. Skipper looks for the tip on the outside but send it outside the antenna. Huge block from UTSSU and they have extended their lead to 5 points 11-6 as the Blues call for the first time out of the set.
Subs for the Blues, Bertolacci replacing Bates. Big job here for the Blues to get back into this set. But a kill to Skipper, then one to Watt, and then 2 aces to Skipper from her tough float serve and the Blues are closing in, 11-14 as UTSSU take a time out.
Sloane dives off to her right out of court to retrieve a ball and keeps it alive for Praski to kill it with the quick ball. Blues are pumped but they are still down 13-16. Savea subs in for UTSSU replacing Blowes. Praksi gets a huge block on Hellmich, one on one on the quick attack. Blues are closing in, but the net touch hands the serve back to UTSSU 18-16. Side out to Praski with the quick kill and ace to Watt and the scores a level 18-18. Miscommunication on the attack play and the third ball hits the ground on the UTSSU side. Blues lead 19-18 UTSSU take their second time out.
Bowers back in for UTSSU. This is a tight set from both sides as they fight to take out the set. Ace to Woodhouse has leveled the scores 22-22. Gordon on for UTSSU. Ross on for the Blues. Her first touch is a kill from her off speed spike. Blues lead 23-22. Blues service error levels the game. 23-23. Cross court kill to Watt brings up set point for the Blues. Transition attack from Watt off Bowers block and its out! Blues take the second set in a fight 25-23.
Set 3
UTSSU - Woodhouse, Bowers, Blowes, Hutchinson, Hellmich, Frostick, Lalic (L)
Blues - Praski, Watt, Bertolacci, Skipper, Fenwick, Sloane, McMillian (L)
First three points see Uni Blues in the lead, 3-0. Bertolacci serves an ace. Hutchinson gets UTSSU first point through the middle, 4-1. McMillian with a great defensive up for the Blues. Watt stepping up for the Blues attacking strong outside, Fenick with the defensive dump and Praski with the slide attack and the Blues lead, 8-4. Frostick gives one back to the Blues, Woodhouse with a huge back on Watt, 8-6. Hutchinson is left with a one on one with Bertolacci and as suspected Hutchinson gets the point and the scores are now level, 9-all.
Praski runs the slide again, Skipper getting a touch off the UTSSU block, 11-9. Service error from Praski. Skipper seems to be the go to person for the Blues, she gets one, but the next one is wide, 13-11.Teams trading service errors, 15-13 Blues. Watt off the block into the antenna, 16-13. UTSSU keeping this set tight, it's a must win set, 19-16. Time out UTSSU.
UTSSU serving up a storm coming out of the time out to level the scores, 19-all. Gordon finsihes off a long rally, a lucky one for UTSSU, they now have a one point lead 20-19. Watt's cross court kill is wide, 21-19. Ross subs in for Skipper. Ross first attack is into the net, 22-19. Her next attack is into the antenna, 23-19. Hutchinson brings up set point for UTSSU, huge cross court kill, 24-19. Blues save set point, Bertolacci great serving, 24-21. Gordon tip over the block short into the Blues court for the set, 25-21.
Set 4
UTSSU - Woodhouse, Bowers, Gordon, Hutchinson, Hellmich, Frostick, Lalic (L)
Blues - Praski, Watt, Bertolacci, Skipper, Fenwick, Sloane, Winzar (L)
UTSSU are not giving up without a fight, scores are level 3-all. Two attacks from Praski are wide, 5-3. Hellmich with a huge block on Skipper, 6-3. Net touch on UTSSU, 6-4. Frostick looking for the kill one is wide and the next one is sht down by Praski with a huge block, 11-9 Uni Blues. Time out to UTSSU.
UTSSU level the scores out of the time out at 11-all. Skipper fantastic swing, Bertolacci great set on one leg, 12-11 Blues. Blues seem to be winning a couple of points but then UTSSU fight back to level the scores. Watt siding out down the ine, 16-12. Bowers strong through the middle, 16-13. Skipper off the block, WInzar can't keep it alive, 16-14. Woodhouse serves the ace to level the scores 16-all. Sloane tough side out, 17-16. Skippers service rolls off the tape, 18-16. Handling error from UTSSU late in this fiurth set, gives Uni Blues a handy three point lead, 19-16. Sloane looking for the side out, UTSSU get the up but can't get it over the net, 20-16. Hutchinson looks for the touch off the tip, no so lucky this time. Blowes subs on for Gordon. Blowes with the great finish, cross court, 21-17 Uni Blues
Frostick keeping UTTSU alive, attacking strong from the outside, 21-19. Net touch on Watt, 22-20. Sloane using the block, 23-20. Sloane back to serve and it's an ace for match point, 24-20. Praski wins the match for Uni Blues with the sharp slide attack to finish it off for the Bronze medal, 25-20. Congratulations to Uni Blues taking out the Bronze medal and UTSSU putting up a tough battle all season.
