Reading University Volleyball Mens 1 left London in triumph

Reading University Volleyball Mens 1 left London in triumph on Saturday completing a clean sweep of victories which leaves the squad in an excellent position to qualify for the BUSA Championship Finals in March. Saturday’s tournament proved to be another step in an impressive season so far with the mens squad securing 6 wins from 7 matches joining the reigning BUSA and Student Cup winners ULU at the top the southern standings.

Match1 saw Reading edge past a very strong Imperial College squad in tight tie break set, indeed Imperial College held match point against Reading at one stage, only to see Reading take the killer points to squeeze through the tie. Reading’s new import setter Giannis Manolakis was the difference between the sides with some cool plays at key points in the game. It was clear Reading were struggling with the early start time, having left Reading at 7am.
Match 2 was an altogether more controlled match for Reading, who dispatched Essex rather more easily than had been anticipated with an intelligent display in defense, which effectively shut the door on the Essex attack. Reading picked them off at will with some great shoot attacking from Ryan (the Hair) Jones and Tom Jones (you only have to see them to know that they are not related).
Match 3 was an anticipated to be Reading’s toughest match of the day against a tough UCL outfit. This was the match to watch for any neutral in the crowd. Reading produced their best performance of the day and the pace of their attack ensured that Reading’s leading outside attackers Alex (the Hitman) Constantinos and Dimitris Balagiannis had a field day in attack, finding holes in the UCL block at will. Whilst Reading did struggle with UCL’s powerful serve and outside attack, the Reading back court defense, particularly the anticipation of the Reading Utility Specialist Sergio Rigoletto managed to keep UCL at arm’s length and Reading won in straight sets.
Match 4 was a contentious affair against a spirited Kent team, with the aid of some farcical officiating Kent managed to hold Reading to 17:17 in the first set, only for Reading to react to the injustice of numerous referees’ errors to take 6 points in succession and subsequently the first set. The adrenaline built up at the end of set 1 continued in set 2 with a crushing win for Reading.
The remaining tournament of the regular season will be the Reading Tournament on the 4 February, where Reading also hope to field our resident Kenyan International Peter Wanyonje for the killer tie against ULU, Reading can win the southern title with a another clean sweep at Reading for the first time the club’s history.

The team travel to Southampton chasing an unprecedented National League record of an unprecedented 100% record on 10 December, knowing that if they continue the progress achieved over the last 5 years the pinnacles of a National League 3 Title and possibly a BUSA Championship awaits.