Twin joy for classy Tendring (From Gazette)

Twin joy for classy Tendring

TENDRING’S women’s volleyball team started the new year with a bang – by winning their first two matches of 2010.

After a long break, they played the first game against Herts Nomads, who are fourth in the W3 East League, on Sunday.

After losing the first set 27-25, Tendring realised they have to concentrate more on their tactics.

During the break between sets, coach Widlarz put forward some new goals for his players and Tendring took the lead from the beginning of the set and won 25-18.

At one stage, this match was destined to go to five sets but Tendring changed their tactics and dominated the next three.

Vicky Leaper played outstandingly and was awarded player of the match, making no hitting errors and demonstrating intelligent play at the net.

The defensive play of the team was good throughout with Libero Gemma Harvey playing solidly along with Linda Ziverte. Emily Mansfield did a good job in service reception, creating an excellent platform on which to attack.

After losing the first set, Tendring won the match 3-1 and this gave them the momentum for the second match against London Knights.

When the teams met earlier in the season, it was a closely-fought contest but Tendring completely over-ran Knights, showing how much the team has progressed. The team welcomed back Kari Chase after injury and, along with Liz White in the middle, caused disarray within the Knights block.

This allowed Hannah Robinson to spread the play and exploit gaps in the Knights defence.

With Kat Harris hitting down the line and scoring points on the short serve, it finished Knights’ resistance.

The next match is a table-topper, with Tendring hosting Cambridge and Northampton at Frinton on January 31, starting at 11am.