York women’s firsts took to the court against Sheffield firsts to prove themselves after losing to the same team earlier in the season. One major difference between the sides was the number of subs – while York had as many as five on the bench, Sheffield only had one. Initially, this did not seem to inhibit the visitors, who were physically fit and kept up their energy levels without having to switch for ‘fresh legs’. But a bigger squad gave York a definite advantage during the later stages of the match. While both teams were focused and determined to win, this did not stop the players from having fun.
Communication levels were high from both teams and the court was a hive of noise and activity. Sheffield won the first set 25-22 and these close scores continued throughout the whole game. York’s spacial awareness was not so strong in the first set, and they kept balls in play that would otherwise have been out behind the back line. Losing the set was a setback for York, and Sheffield continued their intimidation at the start of the second by performing a volleyball version of The Haka, with stomping, flailing arms, clapping and chanting. Perhaps intended as a dance of intimidation, or simply a form of mockable entertainment for spectators; but York were not put off by the dance or scoreline and they won the second set by an impressive six point win (25-19). The home team were really making their opposition sweat, causing them to duck and dive all over the court and floor. Soon after they won the third set 25-23 after a series of perfectly executed shots, as well as a series of solid blocks at the net.
The forth set became the decider. Sheffield had an extremely powerful server, whose shots were so strong that on several occasions the ball rebounded into the receiver’s face from the force, allowing the visitors to take the lead. York’s captain Alexa Mitterhuber took her team aside for a time-out when they were down 19-23, and it seemed this pep-talk was all the team needed. With a dramatic turn around, York came back to win both the final set and the match 3-1. The home side demonstrated excellent teamwork throughout the game and they worked as a reliable unit; Mitterhuber commented that the win was a “great way to end the season”.