Rebels Women with Back-to-Back Wins, Securing Spot in the Final Four
The Essex Rebels had a crucial weekend in the Maree Women’s Super League, facing last season’s champions Durham Palatines and recent opponents Leeds Gorse. On Saturday, the Rebels began their double-header with an impressive performance against Durham. Strong serving and tight defense set the tone, allowing the Rebels to take the first set 25-15. Alexis Diaz-Infante led the offensive charge with an outstanding attacking efficiency of 0.410%, including a 0.400% rate in the first set alone. Meanwhile, middle blockers Julia Haynie and Saskia Freitas stifled Durham’s pin attackers, while libero Madoka Weldon passed a solid 2.4 and was crucial in keeping the defense organized. The Rebels’ strong play gave them a commanding lead that Durham couldn’t recover from.
In the second set, Durham fought back but struggled to find their rhythm against the Rebels’ defense. With standout serving from Lea Borovec and continued strong play from Haynie and Freitas, Essex took the second set 25-13. The Rebels now found themselves one set away from a historic 3-0 sweep on Durham’s home court. Durham came out strong in the third set, pushing the Rebels into a six-point deficit early on with strong serves. However, Essex remained unfazed, with Diaz-Infante delivering several momentum-shifting aces. The team’s defense held firm, and Durham cracked under the pressure, allowing the Rebels to claw their way back. With a final set score of 25-20, the Rebels sealed their first-ever 3-0 sweep against Durham, marking a historic victory.
The following day, the Rebels faced Leeds Gorse, seeking redemption after a recent loss to them. Fueled by the previous day’s success, Essex came out aggressive, using their strong serving to exploit Leeds’ weaknesses in serve receive. The first set was a back-and-forth battle, with Leeds relying on their powerful pin hitter to keep them in the match. Despite the pressure, Essex stayed composed, but ultimately lost the set 23-25. In the second set, Diaz-Infante played a key role in the offense, finishing with nine kills, while Kathea Schamblin contributed with strong passing and three aces. The Rebels’ solid play allowed them to edge Leeds, taking the set 23-25.
The final set was a scrappy affair, with both teams diving for every point. A crucial moment came when Schamblin made a perfect pass during an intense rally, and Haynie followed up with a powerful kill. As Leeds increased their service pressure, the Rebels responded with tenacity. Schamblin’s varied attacks, along with Freitas’ key blocks, were pivotal in sealing the set 26-28, giving Essex a 3-1 victory.
With these two wins, the Rebels secured their spot in the Super League Final Four, set for April at Crystal Palace. Head Coach Alex Chinery reflected on the weekend, praising his team’s maturity and defense,
“Our defense was outstanding on both days, and our balance on offense made us incredibly tough to stop,” he said.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Rebels are peaking at the right time, finding their form as they approach the Final Four.
Picture credits: Keeran Marquis
