Men’s volleyball: Team Sunderland beat Durham 2nds to make cup semi-final

Team Sunderland have progressed to the semi-final of the men’s volleyball Northern Conference Cup after beating Durham University 2nds in four sets at Cityspace. 

The win has set up an away trip to Huddersfield University 1sts in the semi-final.

The first set looked finely poised after 10 points, Durham with a narrow 4-6 lead. 

But Durham started to pull away, taking four of the next five points to lead 5-10. 

However, Sunderland started to pull the set back and eventually edged into a lead at 15-14.

The two sides played out a close set with Durham finding themselves 18-20 ahead, but again Sunderland recovered and took seven of the next eight points to win the set at 25-21. 

Momentum was with the home side early in the second set as they raced into a 5-2 lead. 

But Durham found their way back into the set, winning the next eight points to lead 5-10. 

Sunderland had a bit of a recovery, the two sides finding themselves tied midway through the set at 12-12. 

The visitors were on the front foot for the remainder of the second set and eventually won it 19-25. 

Team Sunderland once again raced into an early lead in the third set and won six of the first eight points. 

And they continued to lead throughout the set, finding themselves in an eight-point lead at 18-10.

However, Durham found a bit of momentum, Sunderland’s lead reduced to two at 22-20. 

But the home side got themselves over the line at 25-22 to move one set from victory. 

The visitors started the fourth set brighter and lead 7-10 early on. 

Sunderland got level again at 12-12 and started to take the initiative, winning six of the next eight points to lead 18-14. 

Durham struggled to work their way back into the set and a shot straight into the net from the away side on match point ensured Sunderland won the set 25-15 and the match in four sets. 

Team Sunderland men will travel to Huddersfield in the semi-final on Wednesday 26 February where a win would set up a final against either Keele University 1sts or Lancaster University 1sts.