Hermitage travelled to Leicester last Sunday to play University 1, looking to improve on their first performance against them where they took a set earlier in the season. 

Phil moved the formation round with a view to having a strong start and it worked. Elliot gave the team a good start from his serve and the first pass allowed Ben all the options of attack. It was close throughout the set but good back court cover and well-placed attacks kept Hermitage ahead. The teams were tied on 23 – 23 but Hermitage held their nerve. Ben and Mackie combined to give Hermitage set point and then an error by the University from Gary’s serve gave Hermitage the set.

Hermitage again started strongly in the second set but the University reeled them back in. Elliott and Mackie both scored good points from their serves to re-affirm Hermitage’s lead. Matt and Bartek well playing well through both wings and continued to keep Hermitage in front. Joern and Jonathan came on towards the end of the set as the University tried to dominate. Again the scores were tied at 23 – 23 but again some good back court cover combined with well placed hits saw Hermitage with the set 25 – 23 for a 2 – 0 lead. 

Phil made some changes for the third set to try some different combinations. Jake made his second appearance as libero putting some good first passes into his brother! The University were determined to take something from the game and began to find gaps in Hermitage’s changed formation. They eventually took the set 25 – 14 but Hermitage took the match 2 – 1 to record their third win of the season.

Cobby