Back-to-Back Games for Rebels NVL Women

A big weekend for the Essex Rebels as they’re faced with two tough away games against Team SideOut Polonia London and Leeds Gorse in the super league. Firstly, on Saturday they went up against Polonia, set 1 started with the Rebels finding their feet quickly on offence, developing a strong tempo and rhythm from the get-go. However, strong serving from Polonia gained them a comeback and stretched them away to win the set 25-17. Set 2 started with Polonia opening an early lead, their strong serving consistent along with their blocking performance shutting down the Rebel’s offence. Essex Rebels tried to close the gap with smart offensive decisions to put pressure on their opponents, however Polonia held strong and managed to fight through to win the 2nd set 25-18. The final set of the game was a close 25-23 with tactical changes from the Rebels, they fought hard with high tempo plays, however continued strong blocking from Polonia along with a better formed offence allowed them to pull away and win the game. A hugely challenging game for the girls fighting hard until the end, well done to birthday girl Lea Borovec who secured MVP of the game with her brilliant offence and defensive skills.

Moving onto a much tenser Sunday, the girls travelled North to face Leeds in a tight 5 set game. The Essex Rebels caused a lot of stress with a slow start to the game after a long drive, ending up 2-0 down in sets (25-22, 25-23). Leeds led straight away with strong service and equally well-formed offence, pushing them into the lead. However, with the wake-up call from the first 2 sets the Rebels brought back their high-level play and turned the service pressure around onto their opponents, their quick and high intensity offense letting them back into the game. Set 3 secured by the Rebels in a formidable show of determination and a key substitution of middle blocker Grace I, who came onto court with high energy and amazing hustle for the ball letting them claw back 25-22. Striding into Set 4 we have the Rebels safely settled into their rhythm and ready to fight back, with total offensive dominance allowing the middle to command an unbeatable block to secure them the set 25-16. Ellen Floyd, Leah Blight, and Lea Borovec all forcing further pressure onto Leeds with their service runs securing a tied game. Heads high into the 5th set we have the Rebels executing smart offensive decisions and defeating Leeds plays, with strong defence of Madoka Weldon in back court to help the outsides dominate the game and win the team the fifth set 15-9, pin hitter Kathryn Attar taking home MVP.

Coach Alex Chinery comments on the weekend by commending Polonia on “Their squad full of quality athletes who execute at a really high level” and reflecting for future games that “the Rebels were the dominant team at times today, we just need to maintain our good play for longer periods. But to end the weekend on the road with a reverse sweep of a playoff rival in one of the toughest away game trips of the year shows real character in this team. Our offence today was excellent team wide and powered us to victory.”