Double success in new style Scottish Cup

Both sides were involved in the re-vamped Scottish Cup last weekend in Edinburgh. To save on expensive hall hire and with some venues still unavailable, Round 1 consisted of 4 team pools. Dundee’s men took on Glasgow Mets 2 in their first game and proved too strong for the League One side. After opening up a 7/0 lead, Dundee pushed on to win the first set 25/12. They nearly repeated the result in set two, winning 25/13.

Next up were hosts, Premier side NUVOC. The shortened best of 3 sets games favoured the home side as they used their experience to trade points. Tony Gadzhev was Dundee’s top scorer in set one as they held a 21/18 lead. Two service errors and a Lewis Crockart score gave Dundee the set 25/21. NUVOC stormed into set two and runs of points gave them an 18/9 lead which they held on to, winning the set 25/17. The deciding set was point for point with Tony Gadzhev and Michel Kowalski both scoring with left side hits. A run of 3 points turned the set in NUVOC’s favour and they secured the win, taking the set 15/11. Both teams qualify for the next round with NUVOC claiming the top seed place.

Dundee’s ladies travelled to Edinburgh University for a game against Premier side Glasgow International. Points were exchanged with Nicola McKenzie and Natalia Stopowska both scoring for Dundee. The score was tied at 13/13 when a disputed call disturbed the rhythm of the game. Glasgow International profited and stole the set 25/21. Natalia Stopowska, Sarah Driscoll and Laura Ward all weighed in with big points to turn set two around as Dundee opened up at 20/8 gap. Sarah Driscoll scored the last two points to level the game, winning 25/14. It was all Dundee in set 3 with Nicola McKenzie and Sarah Driscoll controlling the game to help win the set 15/10.

Edinburgh University ll were the next opponents and the students found themselves 5/12 down with Laura Ward and Natalia Stopowska coming to the fore in points scoring. A run of points from big serves pulled them back into the set and Dundee were nearly passed the post at 23/19. A run of 6 points and then a scrappy counterattack gave them set one, 26/24. A change of line-up changed the next set as Sarah Driscoll and Natalia Stopowska helped push the score onto 13/2. Hannah Lawrie and Emma Clarkson took the score to 22/5, with Laura Ward hitting the final point to win 25/5. Emma Clarkson scored 2 points from her service and Agnes Bednarek won a net duel to give Dundee a 6/4 lead. The students put pressure on Dundee’s defence and mistakes were expensive, with 3 points lost in the last 5 points. The University side won the set and game 15/11. Both sides qualify for the next round as seeds one and two.