Blues take silver in the Women’s Australian Volleyball League final

UTSSU d University Blues 17-25 25-17 19-25 25-13 15-11

University Blues fought to the end against a disciplined UTS/SU in a five set marathon at the Women’s Australian Volleyball League final in Sydney.

In a replay of last year’s grand final, UTS/SU managed to turn the tables on the 2007 champions to take the match 3-2. 

The Blues won the first set after some strong hitting by Shannon Campbell and precise setting by Lauren Bertolacci.

UTS/SU came back in the second, putting more effort into defence and holding court through some intense rallies to take the set 25-17.

Danielle Stott was one of Uni Blues’ best in the third set, hitting some big spikes from front and back court as the Blues charged to a 25-17 win.

The opposition would not back off in the fourth, finding gaps in the Blues defence and leading for most of the set to win 25-17.

The final set was a tight one as the Blues won some superb rallied to lead 11-8 but UTSSU came back and took advantage of two suspect umpiring decisions to take the set 15-11.

Rhiannon Watt played her last game for the Blues in 2008 before her departure this week to eastern German club Fighting Kangaroos, playing alongside fellow Blue Bertolacci in the German Volleyball League.

The Uni Blues had charged into the finals after a scare in the second qualifier, which saw them two sets down against Adelaide before coming back to win in five sets.