This season saw the Blues overcome losing their coach, Simon Loftus, during the Christmas holidays, and bouncing back from a defeat early in the season to Essex University.
The team stayed focused on their goals, and under the influence of the new coaching team, Jefferson Williams and Ian Legrand, the Premier South title stays at UEL for another year.
Loftus worked hard in getting the women’s team ready to defend their title, after the victory, Jefferson Williams said,
“I have to think that it all has to do with Simon, form when he was here. He put all that in place this is the second year in a row that the girls have won in the Southern Division, so I suppose it would have been a failure if we didn’t win.”
Team Unity
Despite the initial doubts with finding new coaching staff, the Blues came back from the Christmas break stronger and focused on winning the title. With only one loss in their season, back in October against Essex University, UEL regained their team unity and confidence which lead them to win the Premier South title in a close, 3-2, encounter against Essex University.
“It’s always good when you win away from home, especially when it is such an important match. The girls are understanding how to win and nothing brings confidence more than winning.” said Williams.
The team is currently training for Final 8s, next weekend in Bournemouth, during which UEL will face some of the best teams in the country.
The coach expressed all the excitement for participating in such a competition without denying how challenging it is going to be,
“I’m looking forward to it and I know the girls are excited as well. I know that we will cross over with one of the top team from the North. They play in the National Volleyball Super 8s division, they are good, their routines are good; they are used to play against better level teams in England so it will be interesting.”
Challenging
As winners of the title, the Blues are using the confidence gained during the season to get ready for this challenging competition and stay focused on their performance.
“I told the girls that things will get tougher because the competition to get to the final should be okay. If it all goes well once we get into the semi-finals anything could happen!”, stated Jefferson
As UEL are going to face some of the best teams in the country in Bournemouth next weekend, the coach claimed they will take up the “underdog style”, “We are underdogs that means no pressure we can just go off and play, do your best and then what happens, happens.”
For live updates throughout the weekend follow UEL Volleyball and BUCS Sport on twitter.