Hermitage mens 1 took on a mixed Vipers side, with a balance of youth and experience, with 4 of the school’s teachers joining forces with 5 of their young players. The first set we started with Jake and Lewis outside, Marcin joining Stent as middles with the returning Tom at opposite and myself (Jacob) as setter. By some miracle we started with a streak of serves from myself, and cruised into an 8 point lead before Ashfield got going, as they struggled to get the side out they needed. This meant that we were always favourites for this set thanks to this early lead, and we played some of our best volleyball of the game, with a lot of strong attacks coming from Jake and Lewis through both 4 and pipe earning us points and allowing us to sustain our comfortable lead, including one of which as Lewis was picked out sensationally by an out of system set from Tom. Paired with some strong hitting from the captain, as well as use of Marcin and Stent where possible kept us in the lead, as we played arguably the strongest volleyball that we played in the game, and ended up taking victory 25-13.

The second set saw a much changed side come in, with Liam in to set for Jacob, Fraser replacing Stent through the middle, Ashath in for Jake outside, and Erick playing opposite giving Tom a breather. This changed side worked their way into this set, as Ashfield came out a much stronger side after they themselves had changed it up. A stronger end to the first set had seemed to give them a new confidence, playing at a much higher level than that which they began, and after an early side out and strong serve from Liam, Ashfield stormed into a 7-4 lead, before the gap began to narrow slightly, but Ashfield continued to lead for the majority of the set. However, some strong serving and a side that had warmed into the game a bit more, accompanied with some smart hitting from our outsides and opposite Erick, as well as Liam’s tips and middle attacks meant that we were avoiding their strongest passer much more, earning us some smart points meant that we had cut that lead by the end of the set and towards the end finally earned it for ourselves, and thanks to finishing so strongly we took victory, 25-18

The third set saw yet more changes, with Jacob returning to set in place of Liam, Lewis for Jake, and Stent back in for Marcin. We struggled to pull away, with some good stuff played at times but without the same consistency that saw us sail away with the first. Ashfield also sustained their play at a higher level, and while we picked up some points through strong attacks from Lewis, Ashath, and Erick we tried to use the middle a little more, reducing the pace slightly as Fraser and Stent got some success. However, Vipers worked hard and earned points off of some scrambles and some strong pick ups, and meant that they took a 16-14 lead midway through the set. At that point, captain Tom decided to change it up, coming on to set in place of Jacob, and Liam replaced Erick. This seemed to lift the team, although Ashfield continued to grind out points, and they pulled away slightly, with Lewis to serve on their set point, an unenviable task, but he got us right back into it before the Vipers finally got the point to win it, taking the set 25-21. Special mention to our non-existent number 3 for standing out in that set.

More changes were made for what turned out to be the final set, including Jacob and Jake returning, as the line up was similar to that of the first set. Both teams began going point for point, with some strong side out volleyball being played, and, although I never thought I’d see the day, a run of 10 (ish) serves from Jacob saw us pull away and take a 17-7 lead. Double figures for the first and last time ever. Shortly after that, Jacob’s set saw substitute Liam with the most glorious kill anybody has ever seen, absolutely hammering one down in front of 5, a true thing of beauty. Some strong passing, and blocking especially in this third set saw us keep our lead, including a couple of beautiful hits from Lewis through pipe and a nicely timed shoot through 4 meant that we eventually closed out the third set and the match, winning that one 25-15 and the game 3-1.

Overall, an opposition posed a different kind of challenge, and while there was elements that we can improve on as a side and work to be done, equally there was some strong elements and we closed out a solid victory, to end our games for the year, as we look ahead to playing this same Vipers side next, away on January 7th.



Thank you to Gary for reffing, Charlie for second reffing, and Dom and Lizzi for scoring. 

Special mention to Bruce, to say thank you for coaching and more importantly thank you for roofing Jake playing 4 v 4 after the match, definitely my highlight of the night.