Queen’s fight back to defeat Blaze in three sets

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY 3

Queen’s University took on Ballymoney Blaze at Dalriada in the students’ first match of the season and Blaze’s second match on November 12.

The first set started off with a few missed serves from Queen’s, which allowed Blaze to take a good lead. However, the students fought back in play with some great hits on the outside from Torracba.

Defensive play was strong from Teanna Mills, and with Rhian McCarroll finishing off each point with hits on the outside, Blaze took the first set by 27-25.

During the second set, Queen’s took an early lead with the gap in points being quite significant, but Blaze fought back with multiple serves from their setter, Zara Bolton.

The second set being much like the first one, both teams not allowing the ball to drop easily. The set was taken by Queen’s in the end, 24-26.

Going into the third set, each team having won a set, the pressure was felt by both teams. Blaze’s defence helped them earn a few points, with a couple of stuff-blocks from Abi Miller and Ellen Yates in the middle. However, Blaze got caught out by a run of excellent float serves from Queen’s, allowing them to take the lead and win the set 25-19.

In the forth set, Blaze had some great passing and hitting from Isy Ross and Rhian McCarroll once again, but Queen’s played cleverly, Irena Mihneva tipping and hitting on the outside, which caught the Ballymoney team out too many times for them to fight back.

The set was won by Queens 25-14, therefore winning them the match 3-1.