MAVL Finals - SF2 UTSSU v WA Hornets
Set 1
UTSSU - Gaucci, Leesong, Carroll, Flexman, Minchin, Vonhoff, D Skinner (L)
Hornets - Hague, Prindiville, Simmonds, Lewington, Troy, Luff, Farriss (L)
The Hornets find themselves down 4-8 so far in this set, as they call for a time out to get their heads back into the game. UTSSU are taking advantage of this, making it hard for WA to show any improvement in their scoreline. The Hornets are desperate in defence and not laying dow, but they find themselves down by 5 points now, trailing 7-12.
Back on court after using their second time out, WA are still down by 5 points, 10-15, but they now start to left their game. The scrambling defence is great, and its wins them a big point, but there are still too many unforced hitting errors that are keeping them behind and struggling to win points. UTSSU on the other hand are looking confident and in control, playing a simple game but with confidence. WA sub un Ruggiero for Simmonds to serve as they are still down 14-20. Quick through the middle from captain Vonhoff gets UTSSU to 21 points and sends him back to serve for his team. Close to the end of the set and UTSSU start to make a few unforced errors. But its quickly rectified and UTSSU wrap up the first set easily 25-18.
Set 2
UTSSU - Gaucci, Leesong, Carroll, Flexman, Suckling, Vonhoff, D Skinner (L)
Hornets - Hague, Prindiville, Simmonds, Lewington, Troy, Luff, Farriss (L)
Better start from the Hornets this set, keeping the scores close at 4-4, before they take the lead and extend it out to 2 points, up 7-5. Suckling is doing a good job finding his quick hitters every time, turning himself inside out to set the ball. Errors from WA again have now let UTSSU back in to the set as the spike from Simmonds which is out levels the scores 8-8.
Simmonds makes a pick up in back court and quickly gets to his feet to hit the pipe for a winner. WA are starting to find form and lift their heads. Up 14-11, UTSSU call for a time out. Over pass from Gauci and Troy is at the net to wrap it up. Minchin replaces Suckling for UTSSU. Double hit called on Vonhoff who takes the second ball, WA lead 17-12 as UTSSU coach Mark Munter looks frustrated at the errors from his team.
WA are losing there heads now as miscommunication lets the thrid ball drop in their own court. UTSSU are coming back. Carroll reads the setters dump from Hague and blocks it back. The sydneysiders are to within 1 point, 18-19 as WA call for a time out. WA side out back on court and Lewington is back to serve and delivers an ace, WA lead 21-18 as UTSSU call for their second time out.
Simmonds find the hands of the UTSSU block and hits it off and out for another WA point. Flexman, after missing the block ball the previous point, makes sure of this attack and hits the kill. Doug Skinner gets the up off his shoulder and sends it back over to WA and Hague dumps the second ball this time against now block for an easy point. WA lead 23-20. Simmonds gets a kill but its called a net touch against UTSSU to bring up set point for the Hornets. Captain Vonhoff saves it though with the quick attack kill. Chris Todd subs in for Leesong and Suckling is back on for Minchin. Vonhoff reads the quick play behind and gets the block. UTSSU not far behind, 22-24 as WA use their second time out. UTSSU side out but WA are quick to return it back and take the set 25-23 to even the set scores, 1-1.
Set 3
UTSSU - Todd, Leesong, Carroll, Flexman, Suckling, Vonhoff, D Skinner (L)
Hornets - Hague, Prindiville, Simmonds, Lewington, Troy, Luff, Farriss (L)
Hornets make an early change, down 1-3, they bring in Ruggiero for Hague to set. Some good serving from the sub, buts its UTSSU unforced errors that have let WA back into the game. UTSSU are only just in the lead, 5-4. Nothing much between the two teams as they exchange side out blows keeping the score level. The UTSSU block is reading the play well, and winning most of the points for them. After gaining an extra point on serve, UTSSU are out by 2 points now, as WA call for a time out, trailing 9-11.
Gauci aces the WA receivers, and they are out to a 15-10 lead. Jack Halley subs in for Prindiville to pass and they get a side out. Confusion on the Hornets side, should Prindiville be back on now they have rotated. Halley all of 5 feet tall finds himself blocking against Todd, and UTSSU win the point. Time out WA to settle the team, and back on court, Prindiville subs back into the game. The time out and change has proved a winner for the Hornets as they have caught up again, now down by one, 15-16 as UTSSU call for a time out.
Gregor Salvin comes in for Vonhoff. And UTSSU start to extend their lead again, out by 3 point, 20-17. Hague is back on for WA as the Hornets are trying everything in their play book to get them into the game. But its all UTSSU at the moment, as Suckling gets a block on Lewington and UTSSU lead 22-18. Simmonds from the backrow gets the side out for WA. Farriss again off the shoulder with the up, but the team can't control it its into the net on the third. A block by Flexman brings up set point for UTSSU, 24-19. And the spike from Flexman is deep into the WA court and Simmonds just gets a touch but they can't get it back and UTSSU take the third set 25-19.
Set 4
UTSSU - Todd, Gauci, Carroll, Flexman, Suckling, Vonhoff, D Skinner (L)
Hornets - Hague, Prindiville, Simmonds, Lewington, Troy, Luff, Farriss (L)
WA will have to dig deep here in this 4th set if they want a chance to play in the gold medal game. They start strong with the combination plays from Hague winning the points. But UTSSU are on a roll from the end of the last set and are not giving the Hornets an inch. Scores are level at 9-9 at the moment as team exchange the side out points. Hitting error from UTSSU and a block from Troy gives WA 12 points to 9 as UTSSU call and time out and Troy cartwheels off the court!
Lewington serves an ace for WA to bring the score to 16-11 in their favour. Leesong replaces Todd for UTSSU. They have to do all the work now playing catch, but as the spike from WA is hit into the net, and still in the lead at 16-13, coach Darrin Pike calls for a time out nonetheless.
WA still in control of this set, and it looks like we could be going to a 5th set. The westerners are keeping their lead, siding out at every opportunity, and don't look panicked in their play. Minchin replaces Suckling for UTSSU. Ruggiero comes in for Simmonds to serve. Skinner dives off the court for the pick up and Leesong puts it away. Spike error from Prindville and the gap is getting smaller, WA still lead 21-20 as the Hornets call for their second time out.
The tip from Gauci, Simmonds reads it but just can't get it up, and the game it even. Leesong serves an error, but then gets the kill from the pipe set at the score is 22-22. Troy through the middle hits it off the UTSSU backcourt defender, but then he serves an error. Who wants this game, its 23-23. Suckling back in for UTSSU. Prindiville's spike just clips the antenna, and UTSSU have match point. Gauci winds up for the cross court and it just tags the line, UTSSU after trailing for most of the game, take the set 25-23 and the game 3-1.
The Sydney team will now face the QAS Pirates for a chance to progress to the Grand final. That game is now scheduled for a 6.10pm start. Stay tuned for the live match report, as well as live streaming on http://www.ustream.tv/channel/oz-volleyball.
