4 middle hitters, 2 setters and one outside hitter. That was the available squad for the re-arranged final match of the season against Loughborough. To make matters worse, they had not had a training sessions for 5 weeks.
Athena started with Eli setter, Ioana playing opposite, Edyta and Tereza playing outside and Marta and Sam as middle. And they started well, keeping track with Loughborough Students up until 11-12. Then Loughborough pulled into the lead and Athena began to make unforced error after unforced error and they won only 3 more points in the first set. Coach Paul decided to move things around and Tereza went to opposite and Amanda joined Sam as middle hitter. But the re-jigged team never gelled. Loughborough surged to a 14-6 lead before Athena began to find their feet. Whilst Loughborough, led by their MVP libero, were picking up everything in the backcourt, Athena struggled to pass the ball to Eli at all but they began to inch back into the set and only lost 25-18. Having lost the first two sets, Athena changed things up again, Ioana returned to playing opposite, and Marta moved to outside hitter. Immediately, they looked more balanced and began to compete better. Their pass and teamwork improved and that put pressure back onto the Students. In a tight set, Athena won out 25-22. Athena started the fourth set in the same way. Sam's hitting was making a difference, Marta and Edyta worked well outside, Ioana stepped into set really well when Eli was taken out of the game and Amanda's serves pushed Loughborough all the way, but this time, the Students managed to edge the set 25-22 and won the match. It was a good match and Athena grew into the game and showed excellent teamwork. With a little bit more luck, they could have taken into a fifth set, then who knows. Thank you to Charlie for coming to support, well done to Edyta for being nominated MVP and a big hug to Marta who leaves us now to go to university. You'll be missed.
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