The Stirling University Women’s Volleyball team has passed to the Scottish Student Sport semifinals.
Winning three games out of four in one long tournament day, the women beat Edinburgh Napier University 32 to 30 in their final match bringing the game home.
Losing against former Premier team Edinburgh University in the first game, Stirling had to win all three following games to make it through to the semifinals- a task they were up for.
Winning against the University of Dundee 2s and the University of Aberdeen, the women made it one step closer to a medal.
Warming up against Edinburgh Napier University for their final match, Stirling started off with a 4-point lead. Despite consistent attack and defence, Napier tightened the gap and brought both teams at a tie at 26-26, 27-27, and so on. Continuously one-upping one another, Stirling eventually nailed two points in a row to win the intense game.
The ‘Triple S’ tournament is an annual event that gives teams in different leagues the chance to play against each other. So, ten division one and two women’s volleyball teams set up to play over four games each in Dundee.
Women’s Coach Barbara Piseroni-Saez says, “We started the first game off with a performance that did not mirror the quality of our team, but the girls showed an amazing attitude going into the next games.
“They came back stronger, and with the right energy and the desire to take the second semifinal spot, they won the last three games of the tournament.
“Napier did not make it easy for us, but we certainly fought until the very last point.
“I’m excited to see how the team will perform next weekend against the University of St. Andrews.”
Achieving second place in Pool B behind Edinburgh University, Stirling will be playing against Pool A’s winner St. Andrews. Edinburgh on the other hand, will face Pool A’s second-place team, the University of Dundee.
Women’s Captain Julianne Deguara says, “We started off a little bumpy but we managed to overcome the challenges that we faced and pushed through.
“We really came together as one team, especially in the last game against Edinburgh Napier. It really shows our commitment to the team which fortunately paid off.
“I’m very proud of everyone for giving it their all and I can’t wait for the semis!”
After coming in second place and taking home a silver medal two years ago in the SSS, the women are hopeful to take yet another medal home next weekend.
The men’s team, who played home, unfortunately did not pass through to the next round of the men’s tournament.
The women’s SSS semifinals will be held in Dundee next Sunday, February 11. If Stirling wins their semifinal, they will play the final game that same day against Pool A’s winner.
Go Squirrels!
Aspiring Journalist
Fourth-year Journalism Student and Sports Editor of BRIG Newspaper at Stirling University
