A trip to EG isn’t the same without someone getting lost, a couple of minor detours for team Churcher meant that Chantelle et al had been waiting a while and were mid warm up by the time they turned up. While Agi was still no-where to be seen, the locals were learning new Polish swear words and her new sat-nav was in danger of being thrown out the widow!
Worthing had a small but strong squad with Chantelle, Trees, Brinee, Agi, Mel, Sintija and Em. EG1 on the other hand had a team assembled on the day registering players, playing players up and players missing or playing with injuries!
A up-beat Devils started well with Agi and Sintija serving deep and putting EG under pressure from the start. A good first ball in and setting meant that Worthing sided out first time for the first five servers until Paulina stepped up and served 5 on the trot bringing EG back to 10-15. Sintija not wanting to be outperformed took up the challenge and served the next 7 points supported by good hitting from Trees and Agi. This was a fairly comfortable set (25-16) and the game looked like it would be a quick 3-0 and drive down to the Market Dinner to meet Vipers for a fry up to celebrate a double win.
However EG1 came out like a different team in the second set, the early nervous and communication issues miraculously disappeared, while Devils looked a little complaisant making numerous serve errors and gave easy points away. A Brinee dive early on showed how committed and determined to win they were, but EG never let a ball hit the floor with fantastic cover all round. Brinee's dive was matched and exceeded by Mandy's pancake which turned the momentum towards EG and you could see the tension get to a couple of Devils as hitting errors started to creep in at the end of the set, which finished 25-21.
Set three saw Devils come out fighting and again Sintija's bullet serving gave Devils a strong start 6-3 and they kept that lead through the set up to 11-15, until they got stuck on a rotation with Vanya serving, supported by Paulina hitting well through four which turned the game in EG flavour 19 -15. Strong hitting from Chantelle kept Worthing in the set and the referee did well controlling the game as the tension cranked up at 24-24, with Anna picking up what looked like a sure winner from Chantelle and EG then got the rub of the green with the net being kind to them to win the set 26-24 after some great play from both teams.
Captain Sintija rallied the troops and while there were some early serve errors from both teams, Mel stepped up and with controlled serves deep to five and a strong attacking line at the net Worthing built a lead. Two stuff blocks from Brinee along with a couple of screamers one from Brinee and the other from Sintija that even the solid defence of EG couldn't get hands too edged it as Devils got into full swing winning 25-15.
Devils looked more relaxed and were keen to start the final set after winning the fourth. Emma came on to give another strong serve in the short set and another calm head on court (cough cough), while Agi made more noise off court than all the players and supporters combined! Again this was a competitive set with good play from both teams. Devils started strong with Brinee serving well and built a four point lead from the start, but good cover by Vanya and Paulina kept EG in the game and a stuff block by Louise had Worthing on the back foot for a moment before Mel again helped them compose themselves with her consistent serve and back court setting to finish strong 15-11.
Considering the makeshift/injury heavy team this was a great performance by EG and goes to show how good the Sussex Volleyball League is - both teams will be looking to prove a point in the rematch!
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