Loughborough Prove Too Strong For Team Derby
Loughborough University started off their Volleyball season by beating Team Derby 3-0.
Derby’s Men’s 1st team looked to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to Cambridge that kicked off their season. They matched up against league favourites Loughborough who looked to do one better than last season when they finished second overall.
Derby’s signing of new American Scholar Cody Wood promised energy, power and experience for Derby who wore his hometown colours on his bandana.
Wood impressed early on by rocketing over-head spikes down onto Loughborough’s half but
the away side began to show their quality in the opening stages. Their manager Paul Bushell injected a solid structure to the core of the squad alongside impeccable defensive attributes
from star of the show Luca Johnson.
Loughborough edged the first set 25-19 despite Derby’s best efforts. Neveykin’s team came out brighter for the second set as Wood continued to impress.
Lougborough continued to prosper from their defensive work and took the second set
comfortably 25-18.
Despite Derby’s best efforts in the third set the away side’s left hander Luca Johnson and captain Jonah Thomas led their team over the line finishing the set 25-19.
Paul Bushell was pleased with the victory but knew that experience was the telling factor.
Loughborough held England Youth players at their disposal and over-powered the home
side Derby.
The home side’s number seven Sudell said: “It was a disappointing loss to a very
good side but we know what to do going forward.”
Derby will hope to improve and build on their slow start of the season away at the University of
East Anglia.
BY ANDRE HENRIQUE, LEO HEWITT AND IVO STOICHEV
