UEL win maiden university sitting tournament

Four teams – UEL, the University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Essex – came together to contest the competition, which was played in a round-robin group format ahead of a first and second and third and fourth place matches. 

Each match in the groups was played over a set time period with the winner the team who took the most cumulative points across the sets played. 

Teams could be of mixed gender and all players had to either study or work for the university side they were representing. 

UEL set their stall out from the start, winning their opening group match against eventual final opponents Loughborough and then also defeated UoN and Essex to top the group. 

It was very close in the battle for second and third, with Loughborough just beating Essex to the punch courtesy of a better points difference when they had both won, drawn and lost one match. 

UoN were fourth, but the Green and Golds were nevertheless competitive throughout. 

As attention turned to the first versus second clash – played as the first to 25 points and best of three sets with no time limit – UEL were pushed much harder than in the previous encounter with Loughborough. 

Though they eventually prevailed the 25-19, 31-29 margin showed the improvements the East Midlanders had made. 

In the third versus fourth match-up Essex proved the stronger, running out woreth 25-19, 25-16 victors. 

“The day went really well, with everyone happy and looking like they were enjoying themselves,” said Volleyball England’s Project Lead for Sitting Volleyball, John Worrall. 

“Although at first there were a few questions around the rules, the players son got to grips with things and showed their abilities. 

“We have already got people asking when the next tournament is, including teams who were not there this time, so we are now looking into when that will be. 

“The hope is that teams will also consider entering the Sitting Cup and Sitting Grand Prix as I think they would be strong additions and hold their own.”