Rebels Women Fall to Malory Eagles in Thrilling Battle

On Sunday, 1 December, the Essex Rebels Women faced the reigning champions, Malory Eagles, at Cobham. The game followed the men’s fixture in front of an energetic crowd, and the Rebels were fired up, eager to prove their strength on the court.

From the opening point, the Rebels set the tone, with Alexis Diaz-Infante leading an explosive service run that quickly built a significant lead. The team’s offensive execution was precise, and their decision-making on the service line was flawless, allowing them to dominate the first set 25-10. This dominant start sent a clear message to Malory, the top team in the country, that the Rebels were prepared for a battle.

In response, Malory made several changes to their line-up, aiming to disrupt the Rebels’ momentum. These adjustments briefly unsettled the Rebels, and they found themselves in a difficult position as Malory began to close the gap. Despite a minor injury to setter and captain Chelsea Simmons early in the match, the Rebels remained resilient, with MVP Lea Borovec stepping up offensively. Borovec played a key role in closing the point deficit, but despite their best efforts, the Rebels lost the second set 25-21.

The third set followed a similar pattern, with Malory’s service pressure forcing the Rebels into uncharacteristic errors. As Malory began to capitalize on their opportunities, Coach Alex Chinery made a substitution, bringing Francesca Daye-Smith onto the court. Daye-Smith’s impact was immediate, contributing with a crucial point and a strong service run that shifted some pressure back onto Malory. However, the Rebels struggled to maintain their intensity, and Malory seized the momentum, taking the third set 25-21.

With the match on the line, the Rebels entered the fourth set needing to dig deep. Malory’s relentless service pressure continued to challenge the Rebels’ passing game, preventing them from getting their primary attacker, Julia Haynie, into play. Despite impressive offensive efforts from Borovec and standout serving from Simmons, who recorded several aces, the Rebels couldn’t overcome the deficit. They ultimately lost the fourth set 25-21, giving Malory a 3-1 victory.

Reflecting on the game, Coach Chinery praised his team’s performance:

“Malory Eagles are the best team in the country, so to come and compete as we did today shows we are right up there with them. The first set was phenomenal, everything went right. Unfortunately, we lost our way a bit after that, and against a team like Malory, they made us pay.”

While the Rebels were unable to secure the win, their performance, particularly in the first set, showcased their potential to compete with the league’s top teams. The Essex Rebels will be back at home on 15 December as they face the University of Essex in a thrilling doubleheader! Get your tickets now on Fanbase.

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