Men’s volleyball team win gold at BUCS Big Wednesday final

Our men’s volleyball team have become the first Essex team to be crowned champions at the British University and Colleges (BUCS) Big Wednesday championship finals.

The team were the first Essex team to win a place at the BUCS Big Wednesday final and secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Durham University to secure the national title.

The Essex team is coached by Alex Porter, former captain of Team GB’s volleyball team who also managed Team GB in the 2012 European championships.

He said: “I’m thrilled for the team; their names will go down in history as the first team from Essex to ever win a BUCS Championship Gold. Their persistence, determination and camaraderie demonstrates to the world what team work and having a relentless pursuit of excellence can achieve.”

Although London 2012 Olympian Mark Plotyczer was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), Alex says the win was a team effort, with all players making a huge contribution to the game.

He said: “Mark Plotyczer’s attacking stats were phenomenal. The whole squad peaked at the right time so in my eyes they are all MVPs.”

The phenomenal achievements of the team have not been an overnight success. Performance Volleyball started five years ago when the team competed in BUCS Division 2 South, and they won back to back promotions to the Premier League with both men’s and women’s teams.

The men’s team then won the conference cup, as well as the Volleyball England Student Cup.

The women’s team set out with a similar goal of winning BUCS at the beginning of this year but were beaten by the eventual winners, Durham University in the semi-finals. They previously won the Conference cup, National Trophy and this year won the Student Cup for the first time and are on course to win the National Volleyball Super League with our partner club.

The men’s team have now won the right to represent the UK in the European University Championships (EUSA).

Alex said: “This group have been one of the most enjoyable groups to work with, they are the epitome of what the Essex Graduate represents. They work hard in and out of the classroom, on and off the court, and ensure they develop themselves and their teammates.”

The volleyball teams’ next mission is to be the most followed sport on campus.

Alex said: “We want every student and staff member to share our successes and support the volleyball teams. We’ve had some great support this year that has helped promote the teams and university.”