Team Northumbria’s women’s volleyball team are focusing on a huge week of BUCS and Super 8s action after easing past Hull Thunder in the National Cup.
Dave Goodchild’s side face Newcastle on Wednesday before an away day double header against Polonia and Wessex.
And that was a factor in the decision to mix things up on Humberside.
Goodchild took a gamble leaving five of his star players at home and fielding a somewhat inexperienced side but it paid off with a 3-0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
“I left the starting five at home so I took a weakened squad but a squad that really deserves an opportunity,” admitted Goodchild.
It was a change that allowed for Faye Hills, Steffi Boyce, Lauren Heathcote and Chloe Mathis to make their full debuts for the squad and saw a new squad leader emerge.
“We made Paige Fullerton captain for the day which was good as she’s in her third year now and an England senior international player so it was good for her to take responsibility,” added Goodhcild.
“There were a couple of nice highlights. Chloe made her debut as a setter as Jurja [Vlasic] didn’t play, she stayed at home.
“Kayla Bastian had a really good game – she served excellently again and was very, very productive today. She’s given herself a good chance of pushing the starting six players.”
Whilst the straight sets win suggests an easy game, the home side made TN’s women work for the first and third set (25-17, 25-19)
“It was a scrappy game, a scrappy affair – we got the job done basically,” said Goodchild.
TN’s men’s team were handed an automatic win in their fixture and a place in the quarter-finals after Sheffield 2 conceded their game.
But Goodchild decided to make the most of it and use the time to prepare for TN’s upcoming matches.
“We’d rather play but it is what it is, we made the most of a bad situation and got to training,” he added.
“I got the girls and the guys in on Saturday for an hour and a half each – just to make use of the court time.
“The girls have a tough week ahead. They have games against Newcastle, Polonia and then Wessex. The guys have Sheffield on Wednesday before Polonia and Wessex in the Super 8s.
“It’s a big week, not just from a physical point of view but also the travelling – it’s a long way.
“That was one of the reasons behind me leaving five of the girls at home this weekend. It’s all about the bigger picture.”
Natalie Martin
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