Herts Nomads faced their biggest challenge of the season as they played Plymouth for the opportunity to go up to NVL Division 2. With Plymouth a four hour drive away, the Nomads prepared for a long day!
The Herts team got off to a good start in the first set, but Plymouth were equally determined and it was point for point for the majority of the set. The Nomads settled into the game and forged ahead, taking the score from 18-all, to 22-18 in their favour. Plymouth did their best to close the gap but the Herts team stayed strong to take the set 25-22.
The second set saw the same determination from both teams and again it was point for point for the first part of the set. Plymouth edged ahead and left Herts playing catch up. Both teams exhibited some great game play and Plymouth held their lead to finally take the set 25-20.
The third set saw a dip in the Herts team's confidence and they allowed Plymouth to take an early lead. A quick time out at 1-7 down got the Herts team to re-focus on their task and the team started to play some excellent volleyball. The Nomads did not look back and dominated the set from then on. Plymouth worked hard to stop the onslaught but the Herts team were in full flow and took the set 25-21.
So to the fourth set, with Herts looking well placed and in the control, the end in sight. The tension got to the team and they completely fell apart! Everyone switched off as the stress took over. The team counld not get it together and Plymouth thrived on the Nomads distress and took full advantage of the situation to run away with the set 25-9.
The fifth set was always going to be a test of nerves and so it transpired. Plymouth got the good start and the stress was killing the Herts team's game. The time out at 3-6 down encouraged the team to stop trying too hard and just relax into their game. With the help of some good serving the Herts team finally got in the groove and started to redress the balance. At 11-all the set was still open but the Nomads were looking confident and determined to win. The score displayed led the Herts team to believe they had secured their win at 16-14. However, an adjustment showed the score as 16-15. This is a major disruption in such a tense game but Herts stayed focus to serve again. Plymouth got the side out and the score was level again! Herts showed real nerve to hold it together and get the side out and successfully serve for the set.
The team were totally elated and should be proud of their very much deserved win!
