The Mixed team had two matches in two days last week and came so close to recording their first win of the season in the first match against Hermitage.

In a close first set the lead changed hands several times and it was neck and neck at 17 – 17. Ben was setting well but the attack failed to put the Hermitage defence under enough pressure. A couple of well-placed hits to the corners by Nuneaton’s big hitter gave them the advantage as the teams traded points to the end of the set with Nuneaton winning 25 – 21.

Lizzi and Josh came on to play through the middle for the second set and that strengthened the attack. With Alice putting up some good sets Hermitage stayed in with a chance of taking the sets. This time Hermitage were caught too deep in defence as Nuneaton punished them to run out winning the set 25 – 20.

The third set was again a close fought set. Billie and Kasia were causing the Nuneaton defence some problems. Again it was a matter of the teams trading point but it was Nuneaton who managed to come out on top with a combination of big attacks and short tip catching the Hermitage defence, winning the set 25 – 22 for a 3 – 0 victory.

Friday night saw a short trip down to Loughborough to play the students, who were second in the league. For this match Mozhgan came in for her first match of the season and Mackie was making his first appearance for the Mixed team following his move from Panthers.

The students were a formidable force with a strong serve which caused the Hermitage defence all kinds of trouble. When the dig went to the setter Hermitage were able to put the Loughborough team under some pressure but unfortunately that was all too infrequent. Hermitage lost the first set 11 – 25.

In the second set Kasia moved to setter, but Loughborough again were serving hard and not allowing Hermitage to settle into any kind of rhythm. When the first ball was good Mozhgan and Billie were causing the student’s defence some problems. All too often though the Hermitage defence were caught too deep as the middle attacked tipped the ball either side of the block.

The third set was far better for Hermitage. With an improved first pass they began to find the gaps in the students’ defence and kept the scores close throughout the set. The students did have enough firepower to keep ahead. They found the gaps in the Hermitage’s short cover and we able to take the set 25 – 19 for a 3 – 0 win.

Cobby