The youngsters of Saracens took on an improving University side at Spalding Grammar School.
After a great start when Saracens took an early lead of 5-0 and stretched that to 12-6, the pressure started to get to the youngsters as University clawed the way back into the game to lead 16-15. The momentum University gained carried them through to take the first set 25-20.
Saracens started the second set with Scott Chuter serving and took a seven point lead. University again slowly clawed their way back but Saracens were able to match them until half way through the set. With the score at 11-12, University started to show their experience and moved the score on to18-12. Saracens were unable to recover this time, before good serving from University took the score to 23-13 before finally taking the set 13-25.
The boot was on the other foot in set three with University edging into a lead from the outset and took the score to 14-6. But great serving from Summer Buckley and Sally Grooby brought Saracens firmly back into the game and were eventually able to take the set 25-23.
All set for a thrilling fourth set. With all first services on both sides over, the score stood at 14-14. With Saracens’ confidence high they were able to continue to match University point for point until strong serving got the better of Saracens and the visitors finally took the set 25-22 to give them a 3-1 victory.
Coach Tim Barzycki said: “I have been expecting a good result for some time. We have a nice, strong, enthusiastic squad and it was only a matter of time before we started to give other team a scare. This shows what can be achieved with hard work and effort.”
Summer Buckley took the most valuable player award, but Matt Urry, despite not starting a set, was regularly used as a substitute and did enough to earn the club’s Player of the Match award
Training takes place on Mondays at Spalding Grammar School from 6.30pm- 9pm for beginners and less experienced and Thursdays for squad players only.
See the website at http://community.lincolnshire.gov.uk/SpaldingYouthVolleyball/ for more information or contact volleyballspalding@sky.com or call 0750 6409 308