National Cup - Round 1
Sunday 15 September Leicester Athena 3 Newcastle Staffs 0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-20) Leicester Athena's NVL squad powered their way into the second round of the Cup with a clinical performance against Newcastle Staffs. Athena will be playing Newcastle in Division 2 North this season and this was a good marker for the season ahead. With this match being held so early in the season, it was no surprise that both sides seemed to start a little tentatively, Athena started with Sarah setting, Adela as opposite, Karolina and Alexandra as middle and Kristy and Petra as outside hitters and Algi as libero. They soon began to settle into a good pattern as their first pass and movement meant they were able to create more chances to win points. Karolina's serve opened up a big gap halfway through the set and although Newcastle came back, Athena saw the set out 25-21. Athena swapped Alysia for Adela (who had to rush off to work) for the second set. However, Newcastle came out firing and they were 8-3 up by the first technical timeout. But Athena began to raise their intensity: Algi was everywhere in back court, Kristy's hitting started to make an impact and the whole team started to move better and anticipate Newcastle's attacks. They clawed their way back to be ahead by the second technical time-out and went on to clinch the second set 25-21. Once more Newcastle started the set strongly and were 8-4 at the first technical time-out this time. Saffron came on for her first appearance with Athena and replaced Alysia. Athena began to be more accurate with their first pass again and they worked their way back into the set and won it 25-21 to seal a very good victory. Coach Gordon was really pleased with the effort and they concentration shown throughout the match and Athena now move onto the second round. Well done to Algi, in particular who was spectacular in the back court.
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