Press Report 3-2-17

The women’s Scottish Cup fourth round draw threw up a local derby clash between Dundee University and Dundee’ national League side.  The University had the home advantage and used it early on to take a 12/7 lead forcing the league side into unforced errors.  Lucy Wishart and Hannah Lawrie helped close the gap and Sarah Driscoll took the score to 18/17 in Dundee’s favour.  Five more errors gave the student a lift and they won the first set 25/21.  The second set followed a similar pattern but it was the Uni. side that gave away 11 points in errors.  Sarah Driscoll found her range, scoring 6 points, and with help from Natasha Melville, the League side levelled the match winning 25/19.  The visitors had momentum and continued into the third set and despite a run of 4 points from their service it was the student side that played ‘catch up’.  Driscoll and Wishart were scoring regularly and with Lana Edgar grabbing 2 points with her block, Dundee took the set 25/21.

The student responded with a more careful approach and forced to League side into errors again as they tried to find ways past the home block.  The controlled play by the student was rewarded with a 25/15 win to take the game into the tie-break fifth set.  Lana Edgar and Sarah Driscoll together put 6 points on the board and Dundee led 8/5 at the change of ends.  Disaster seemed to strike the visitors, as Sarah Driscoll had to leave the court with an elbow injury.  Clair Pollock was thrown into the game and the students sensed an opportunity with Dundee hanging on and trying to re-organise their team. The students pulled the score back to 11/13 then Lucy Wishart hit a winner to take the score to match point at 14/11.  The Uni. Team hit back to take the score to 12/14 but a service error gave the set and game to the Dundee side 15/12.

League games return to the schedule tomorrow with vital games for both sides.  The men take on City of Edinburgh ll at 11.30 in Craigie High School in a game they must win to keep top three hopes alive.  The girls follow at 1.00 with a vital game against Su Ragazzi ll in their quest for a play-off place in the top 4.