MAVL R3 - G5 Uni Blues v UTSSU
Set 1
UTSSU - J Skinner, Gauci, Leesong, Minchin, Vonhoff, Tutty, Doran (L)
Blues - Whitburn, Stevens, Morley, Weimann, Campbell, Bhachi, Helfrich (L)
UTSSU will be going hard this game to make sure they come out on top as a win can only help their chances in making the top 4. After their strong performance last night against the home crowd favourites they should well, but as well join the action here in the first set, it's the Uni Blues that are on top currently up 19-14 as UTSSU struggle with keeping their error rate down.
Keith Suckling replaces Minchin for UTSSU but the points aren't going their way as Bhachi, Stevens and Morley are just carving up the UTSSU defence. Morley looks to have hit a winner tight to the net but he net touches on the way through giving UTSSU the side out. Leesong with a great diving pick up in 6 keeps the rally alive and UTSSU convert it to a winning point. Coming from behind now the Sydney-siders are playing hard to get themselves back into this set. Net touch called on Whitburn while trying to set a tight ball and the scores are level 22-22. Mat Young comes into serve for the Blues after they just sided out. Gauci sides out for UTSSU and then hits another winner and they have set point. Blues hit it into the net and an amazing come from behind win by UTSSU sees them take the 25-23.
Set 2
UTSSU - J Skinner, Gauci, Leesong, Suckling, Vonhoff, Flexman, Doran (L)
Blues - Whitburn, Stevens, Morley, Weimann, Campbell, Bhachi, Helfrich (L)
Blues are out to a 6-4 lead as they start strongly again. Bhachi showing his versatility hitting through the middle or the outside, anywhere on court really. Huge block by Bhachi brings up 11 points for the Blues as they creep away with the score. Helfrich makes the defensive up and Campbell puts it away. Whitburn roofs Gauci and the Blues are up by 6 points 13-7. UTSSU take a time out.
Gauci finds the gap between Campbell's arms in the block as he sides out for UTSSU. They are still trailing the Blues side but have caught up a few points, now 15-18 down. A great no look quick hit from Vonhoff is burried just over the 3 metre line on the Blues court to get UTSSU to 16 points. And this is where UTSSU start to play well, coming from behind they seem to lift and create more momentum their way and their opponents suffer with simple errors. Can they do it again? They still trail by 2 points, 18-20 after Gauci spanked one deep into Blues territory. Bhachi drills one into the net and there is one point the difference.
Blues have maintained their lead and are up 23-21, but it doesn't take UTSSU long...and have done it again and the scores a level. Leesong tips the ball short in front of Whitburn and UTSSU have set point, again coming from behind. Blues quickly call for a time out to stop this run of points and avoid a repeat of the last set. UTSSU have set point serving 24-23. Whitburn to Bhachi and he hits it way long....UTSSU take the set 25-23 and a 2 nil lead in the match.
Set 3
UTSSU - J Skinner, Gauci, Leesong, Suckling, Vonhoff, Flexman, Doran (L)
Blues - Whitburn, Stevens, Morley, Weimann, Campbell, Bhachi, Helfrich (L)
The teams continue to do battle, with not much separating them, not even on the scoreboard, 5-5. Campbell fires one down the line, 6-5 Uni Blues. Leesong fires one back, 6-6. An unlucky decision, followed by a couple of errors from UTSSU, has seen Uni Blues blow out the lead to 11-6. Time out UTSSU. Vonhoff with a huge block on Morley, they are back to within four, 9-13. Time out UTSSU at 11-18. This is where they usually come from behind, can they make it 3 sets in a row to take the match? Salvin comes into the game. Suckling with a great defensive up, Gauci finishes it with a roll over the blockers hands, 13-19. And another point for UTSSU, 14-19.
Gauci with a massive block on Bhachi, 16-20. And UTSSU continue to eat away at the Uni bLues lead, 18-21. Jeff Skinner back on for Salvin. Whitburn sets the quick to Weimann, he finds the line, 23-19 Blues. Stevens covers alot a court in that point, with some fantastic defensive ups, but its a net touch called against Suckling that hands the set to Uni Blues 25-20. UTSSU still maintain the lead 2:1 sets.
Set 4
UTSSU - J Skinner, Gauci, Leesong, Suckling, Vonhoff, Flexman, Doran (L)
Blues - Whitburn, Stevens, Morley, Weimann, Campbell, Bhachi, Helfrich (L)
Again the set starts as the rest of the game, point for point, 4-all. Morley with an awkward hit off the overpass, it was ugly, but it was a winner, Uni Blues trail 7-8. This set is riddled with errors from both teams. UTSSU are just making less of them, they lead 13-8. Time out UTSSU 14-11. Flexman reads the play well, with an easy block on Stevens, UTSSU are leading from the front this set, 18-12. UTSSU are piling on the points now, its out to eight, 20-12, no make that nine through a Flexman/Suckling double block. Uni Blues call a much needed time out at 12-21 Down. Valena comes on for Stevens.
UTSSU are fast approaching the end of this set, they are making little work of their southern counterparts, its match point at 24-13. Saario for Weimann. Leesong finishes the match from 4 with a cross court winner, 25-14, 3:1.
That wraps up UTSSU's preliminary round games finishing on 4 wins and 6 losses. They now have a long wait til tomorrow afternoon to see if that is enough to get them through to the finals. Next up we have the QAS Pirates taking on Volleyball WA in what should be a cracker of a game.
