Leeds University hosted the all-day Volleyball Student Cup Qualifier Tournament at The Edge on Saturday. The tournament drew teams from all across the country, highlighting volleyball’s popularity. The atmosphere in The Edge was buzzing with teams watching each other play on the balconies and sidelines – evaluating and judging who would make the cut form the qualifiers.

 

Both Leeds’ men and women’s teams prevailed with great team spirit throughout the day, despite a mistaken referee call during the most crucial match point of the women’s game against Sheffield University, which resulted in Leeds’ undeserved loss. Both teams witnessed the ball contact the Sheffield player, yet Sheffield did not admit to their fault. However, the women’s team won 2-0 against UCLan, 2-0 against Durham 2nds, and lost 1-2 to Sheffield, and 0-2 to Northumbria.

 

Northumbria’s skill level was at a much higher calibre than most university teams in BUCS. The men’s team also lost 0-2 to Northumbria, as their team consisted of two Team GB’s Olympic players Peter Bakare and John Chapman; therefore it comes as no surprise that they remain undefeated in the UK. Despite the men’s loss against Northumbria, they managed to make some plays that shook Northumbria’s confidence. The men’s team persisted to defeat Sheffield and Durham. Leeds pummelled Durham, with Shane Wacker’s accurate sets to Savvas Anthis, hitting powerfully through the outside position, and Ed Cave’s quick attacks through the middle position.

 

The game against Sheffield was a tight game with competitive rallies, and overall, the men’s team demonstrated great skill with their fast reactions picking up the ball for defence and lining up strong attacks. The skill level for the entries of the women’s teams varied – as Durham seconds and UCLan’s attacks were easy to receive, which provided Leeds the opportunity to set up strong attacks. Women’s setter and team captain Amy Rout made reliable sets to outside hitter Tassie May, who carried out smart plays to tip or spike into empty parts on the opposite court. The game against Sheffield was competitive and thrilling, with excellent rallies of attacks and defence – if Leeds was given the 25th point of the second set, the outcome of the third set would be unknown. The game against Northumbria, however, stood no chance – as the girls shook their heads in awe of the deep and powerful spikes by Northumbria’s hitters.

 

Overall, the Student Cup was successful with Leeds University as a host, as well as the performance of our university teams. The qualifiers will be announced in the coming weeks, with a following tournament to determine National Student Cup winners in early 2013.

 

Author: Anita Cheung