By Samuel Dearnley 

Huddersfield added to early varsity success with a 3-0 win in volleyball. 

An exceptional afternoon for the University of Huddersfield was even better after the Men’s Volleyball team produced a stunning performance to beat the University of Bradford 3-0. 

Coming into it, Huddersfield University had all the momentum after a good season in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) 3B, finishing 4^th overall and having won 2 of their last 3. However, they have struggled this year against those teams above them, with York 2’s being the only team they have beaten, so Bradford’s superior position in the league table could prove a psychological blow. 

The University of Bradford has struggled this year, though, in the division above. They have lost 9 of 10 games this season, finishing bottom of the league. They have also lost 3-0 in four consecutive games. 

The quality of the Huddersfield team was clear from the start. They took most of the early points with some excellent cross-court shots. It became clear, though, that Bradford would not be a pushover. Throughout the first set, they had various spells where they found some rhythm and were defending well.  

Huddersfield found lots of success through their number 3, who consistently found space to spike into, which caused Bradford all kinds of problems.  

Huddersfield won the first set 25-15 after leading 14-5 at half-time. This would be a common theme throughout: Huddersfield took early leads in sets, and then when Bradford did respond, it was too late.  

The second set started off in a similar fashion to the first. Some sublime Huddersfield spikes and defence early set the tempo and meant they could keep up the momentum they gained from the first set.  

Again, Bradford kept responding brilliantly to the Huddersfield barrages, but more times than not, their serves let them down, many drifting out or being too soft and easy to return. On the other hand, Huddersfield’s number 7 produced various powerful serves and aces, another factor in Huddersfield’s’ favour. 

12-0 Huddersfield in the third set summed up the game as they started so strongly again. Bradford brought it back to 18-10 at halftime, but it just wasn’t enough. A few minutes later, they had to accept defeat. Huddersfield finished off the third set 25-15 to cap off a perfect 3-0 victory.