Undefeated - BOOOOM!

The final weekend of the National League saw Worthing travel to Southampton to play Solent and Sussex Dolphins.  They had a full team except for Amy, but were carrying a couple of injuries to Trees and Sintija. The team arrived super early so had time to enjoy a little of the days sunshine and take the last pre-game team photo of the season with their Latvian minders, before showing off their muscles and co-ordination pre-game.

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The Big Guns - Boom!

Missing Gem from the top! - That'll have to wait until next year!

Flexible...maybe, graceful not a chance!

Once the warm up started, it was back to the serious business of winning these two games to finish as Champions and undefeated this season in the National League.  

The starting team were Robyn, Sintija, Em, Agata, Chantelle and Brinee. The trend of Worthing starting slowly struck again and before we had switched on, we were 11 - 4 down.  A combination of Robyn serving well and three attacking options pulled Worthing back into the game and brought us to 18 - 16 up.  Brinee again in her preferred position (the coach must be going soft) playing through four took the opportunity with both hands, terrorising the opposition with her massive blocks and power attacks!  Agata front court through the middle was winning her personal battle and made sure that Solent always had a strong double block.  Chantelle as always was putting in good first balls, but struggled at first running the B ball, which made it all the more rewarding when it worked a couple of points later for a winner that Solent didn't get close to! Once they edged in front Worthing never looked like slipping up and closed the set 25-19.

The second set started with the teams trading points until Em and Robyn inspired Worthing with a beautifully ran cross-over which rattled Solent, causing their coach to call a time out.  Having Sintija back gave Worthing an extra dimension to their attack through opposite and working with Chantelle they bossed the serve receive.  Worthing won this set in a tighter 25 - 22. 

In the third set Brinee was on fire front court causing havoc with the Solent defence winning three points in quick succession with power hits down the line before mixing it up with a tip and cross court hit.  Agata was all over her counter-part like a rash blocking her twice on the trot and putting away the middle sets from Robyn to the calls of “Agi Agi Agi”.  Worthing won the final set with a relatively comfortable 25 - 13.   Agata after a fine performance took the Worthing MVP award.


The 3-0 win was celebrated by a quick "that's the way aha aha I like it" and a very tasty Latvian sandwich (I think we have a new candidate for NL caterer for our home games next year!).   Worthing then had to re-focus to face Dolphins, the very team they had lost to last weekend following a tough 5 setter.  While the team were warming up Carl slipped off to find champagne and glasses to celebrate winning the league.

To start the Dolphins game the only change to the starting line up was Mel coming on to set instead of  Robyn.  A better start from Worthing lifted their spirits and quickly Sabrina found her groove. Still hitting through four she made an immediate impression with her big hitting and Dolphins knew they were in for a tough day.  The set was pretty even with only a few points difference and the lead swinging between the teams, Dolphins re-cycled what looked like a couple of clear winners with great pick up’s from Tracy and Vicky.  Sintija's mum conducted the musical crowd letting them know when they could and couldn't cheer/rattle/bang and shake and this helped push Worthing on.  At 21-20 up Mel served and kept going to the end of the set!  Jason broke his "golden rule" calling a time out when Worthing were on 24, however even that wasn't enough to distract Mel and Worthing took first blood, winning the first set 25 - 20. 

Dolphins came straight back winning the second set and although Trees came on and battled through the pain barrier to give Dolphins a scare with a late push the consistent setting by Tracey which Paulina and Sophie used well, helped ensure Dolphins stayed on top of the set.  

Trees started the third set, with Brinee being pushed back to her usual middle position.  Dolphins started this set brightly holding a couple of points lead up to 13-11, when Brinee stepped up to serve.  A few power serves had them pushed deep, this was followed by a beautiful short serve that no-one got close to getting hands to!  She had got us back in the game and in front 19-13.  From here Worthing closed out the set 25-19 winners.

How high can Brinee go?
Who's that billy, on his own?

That's the way to block!

The fourth set was a titantic battle with both teams raising their game, Simon for a change not ensconed in a sea of East Grindstead supports struggled to be heard over the epic Worthing crowd. Neither team could build a lead in this set with no one serving more that a couple of points apart from Martina who pushed Dolphins into a 14-9 lead that Worthing couldn’t catch, despite some great Volleyball.

A third five setter between Worthing and Dolphins this season and the second in the last week!  Agata lapped up the pressure of starting the set serving for Trees and gave Devils a 3 point lead, which Dolphins quickly cancelled out with Vicky and Sophie attacking well.  After that Worthing sided out first time every time with Mel using Brinee through the middle to great effect and Chantelle and Em both winning five points on their serves to carry Worthing over the line and win 15 - 6.  Brinee took the MVP after running the show through the outside and middle and owning the net throughout - good work Brinee and loving' the air time in the photo's!

A fantastic response to last weekends match and a great way to end the season as undefeated champions of the Div 3 south league!