Super League Preview - Essex Aim to Stay on Top as Malory Eagles Hunt Upset

Euan Fraser and Thomas Jefferson (TJ), both seasoned players for Essex, shared their excitement for the upcoming game. 

Euan started off by reflecting on the thrilling third-place playoff last year in the Final 4, where Essex triumphed over Malory after a dramatic comeback from 2-1 down to win in a fifth set. 

"That game was one of the most exciting matches I've ever played in," Euan said. "The whole game was crazy, and coming back to win in the fifth set was such a high."

For TJ, facing Malory is always a challenge, especially given the club's top-tier status. "It's always fun playing against Malory," he said. "They're consistently at the top of the table, and every time we meet them, it’s an intense match. It’s exciting to see how we stack up against them."

This weekend will see both the men's and women's teams face off at the Essex Sport Arena, with both Essex teams already securing their spots in the Final 4. 

Last time these two teams met, in December, Essex's men suffered their only loss of the season, with Malory coming out on top in a tight 3-2 match.

Essex Rebels have been in strong form this season, but the pressure of being at the top brings its own set of challenges. As the team pushes for a top seed in the Final 4, there’s a shift in mentality. Euan and TJ discussed the transition from being the underdogs to being the team everyone is gunning for.

"It's definitely a different challenge," Euan said. "We’re not chasing anymore, we’re the ones being hunted. Teams are coming for us, and we have to maintain our level every match."

TJ, who has played in the league for four years, added that the team is still adjusting to their new role as frontrunners. 

"It’s strange being the favorite. We’ve always had the mindset of being the underdog, and now we have to manage expectations and perform at a high level. We’ve done a good job of beating the teams we should be beating, but the real challenge will be when we face those 50-50 games."

The Rebels’ recent matches have been nail-biting, with two 3-2 victories on the road. TJ highlighted the difficulty of preparing for teams like Richmond and Polonia, who have brought in new players, making it harder to scout their game. "It’s tough going into a game ‘blind’ when you don’t know how the new players will perform. But we’ve managed to rise to the occasion when we’ve had our backs against the wall," TJ said.

Euan also mentioned the impact of relegation this season, with three teams set to drop from the league. "Every team is fighting for survival, and that makes every match even more exciting," he explained. "Opposition teams are battling for every point, and it adds a whole new layer of intensity to the game."Despite the challenges, Essex has managed to stay resilient. "We’ve won a lot of 3-1 and 3-2 matches this season when our backs were against the wall, which shows we have the ability to step up another gear," Euan added. "But, of course, last time we played Malory, it was a different story."

As the Rebels head into this weekend's Super League Live, both Euan and TJ are looking forward to facing Malory again. "We know it’s going to be a tough match, but we’re ready for the challenge," said TJ.

Euan added. "But, of course, last time we played Malory, it was a different story."

The second half of the season has brought even more intensity, with three teams facing relegation. "This changes the whole narrative," Euan said. "Teams like Richmond and Polonia, who might not have been expecting to be in the relegation fight, are now making big changes to their squads to push for results. It makes the second half of the season much more exciting."

TJ agreed, adding that the “competitiveness of this season feels more intense than last year”. 

As Essex focuses on the Super League, the Cup is also on their radar. The team will face London Giants at home in March, after having already beaten them twice this season. 

"Giants have definitely strengthened their squad with new players, and they’ve been on a roll," Euan said. "It’s going to be a tight game, but having it at home gives us an advantage. We’ve only dropped two or three sets at home this season, so that’s a positive."

TJ emphasized that while the Cup is a great achievement, the team’s ultimate goal is to win it all. "From the beginning of the season, we aimed to claim the three biggest titles: the Cup, the Super League, and BUCS. Now, we're in a position to make that happen—semifinals in both the Cup and BUCS, and sitting at the top of the league."

Essex’s next big test comes with a trip to the University of Nottingham, where they’ll look to redeem themselves after missing out on the BUCS final to Nottingham last year. "We didn’t give Nottingham the respect they deserved last year, and we paid for it. That won’t happen again," Euan reflected.

"We know Nottingham is still adjusting after Griffin’s departure, but we won’t take them lightly," added TJ.

Despite being at the top, Essex knows there’s no room for complacency, with all four of their remaining regular-season matches looking tough. "The Stockport game will be challenging—they really pushed us last time, and they’re fighting for points," said TJ.

Euan added, "Essex Blaze is a grudge match for us, even without the points at stake. We train with half their team, so it’ll be personal."

Looking back on the season so far, TJ and Euan shared their favorite moments. "For me, the opening weekend match against Polonia stands out. It felt like a statement win. They’ve been a tough team for us in the past, so it felt amazing to beat them so convincingly in our first match of the season," said TJ.

Euan agreed but added, "The best moments are still ahead. Once we hit the finals or semifinals, that’s when the real excitement begins."

As this weekend’s showdown with Malory Eagles approaches, Essex is focused on solidifying their top spot in the league with just three games left after this weekend.

Catch the thrilling action live this weekend as Essex Rebels take on Malory Eagles on Volleyball England’s YouTube channel, starting at 15:00.

Watch it live here.