WESSEX 4 MAVERICKS 1

WESSEX started their National League rebuild in style when they entertained Division Three outfit Wiltshire Mavericks in an extended friendly match but the result was marred by an injury to Ailsa Crammond.

Mavericks were strengthened by the inclusion of National League Division One guest players from London Polonia.

The idea of the fixture was to introduce Wessex age group players into senior volleyball and to allow trialists to prove their worth.

Wessex gave extended court time to the England Junior International players, Zoe McAulay and Crammond and handed Annie Tinker her full debut for the club.

New signing Charlie Morse also featured in the setting role.

The first set started slowly for Wessex as the players accustomed themselves to their new line-up.

Annie Tinker looked very strong in Wessex's defence, and Hannah Ridge performed well through the middle as the hosts matched the Mavericks point for point.

At 19-19, London Polonia’s Lizzie Smith started to take control and three powerful back court smashes eased the visitors to a 25-22 win.

This prompted Wessex to introduce a more experienced starting six for the second set. Phoebe Jeffery, Sophia Speigal, Karin Frey and Morse entered play and the move worked straight away with Wessex opening up a five-point lead which they never relinquished.

Morse found Frey and Crammond with regularity and as the set progressed Wessex began to really dominate. A huge smash from Jeffery gave Wessex the set 25-18.

The third set saw Wessex introduce more junior talent with Libero specialist Sarah Keene entering the match and Hannah Corbin step up for her first Wessex senior appearance.

This blend of youth was complemented by the experienced outside attack of Jeffery and again it was Wessex who quickly established another lead. Again this was rammed home for a third set win.

Wessex started the fourth set with probably their strongest line up, but this was soon disrupted as Crammond receiving only the second serve of the set suffered a horrific hand injury.

The full power of the serve landed on the tip of her thumb, badly dislocating it. An injury that could be career threatening if full strength cannot be regained in the ligaments and surrounding muscles.

With Crammond on her way to hospital Wessex were forced to reshuffle.

Setter Speigal moved to a hitting role and Morse took over setting. Wessex were in rampant form now and Jeffery scored a run of ten successive serves which Wiltshire could not answer. It was no surprise that Wessex extended the lead to go 3-1 ahead.

With time still left on the hall booking a fifth set was played and again Wessex emerged on top with Jeffery, Morse and Speigal all looking impressive.

Wessex: Zoe McAulay, Hannah Corbin, Ailsa Crammond, Karin Frey, Phoebe Jeffery, Sarah Keene, Charlie Morse, Hannah Ridge, Annie Tinker, Sophia Speigal.