Forced to play at Linton Village College due to lack of home facilities, the Cambridge team were as unaccustomed as the visitors to playing at this venue and had to adapt to the low ceiling and reduced space surrounding the court. The team was in good spirits for this match and setter Alex Rinnert was joined by new recruit Claire Nichols, with Vanessa Nadalin as opposite, Inge Kuiljaars and captain Yvonne Beyer on the outsides and Anna Protasio, Henna Nuitanen and Maria Haal in the middle. Phoebe Lau completed the team as libero.
Both teams looked uneasy with the court in the first set, uncontrolled serve-receives hitting the ceiling with regularity. The Blues stayed with the more organised visiting team and were able to defend some attacks. The second set saw the Blues suffering a minor collapse with little quality passing being received by Alex, resulting in a lot of freeball to the Loughborough team. The third saw a rejuvenated Cambridge push, and with credit to Maria and Henna blocking the strong Loughborough attack, the Blues looking more composed in defence. Setting from Claire involved Vanessa and Anna as strongest Cambridge attackers, with Phoebe taking more responsibility in the passing role. A better ending for the Cambridge team, but unable to match the Loughborough pressure.
MVP was Vanessa Nadalin Report by Jon Clarke
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