Student volleyball aces smash into national finals

Student volleyball aces have powered to through to national championship finals – with three Essex teams now hunting glory in national finals

The men’s Essex Blades side is through to the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) showdown after winning away in Nottingham 3-0.

They join the women’s basketball and volleyball teams in the finals at BUCS Big Wednesday, in Higher Education’s hotly anticipated title deciders.

Loughborough University hosts the crunch games next week.

Pictures above by Jon Cornish

Coach Alex Porter praised his team after securing the championship game which came days after the Rebels Volleyball team won the Super League Regular Season Title.

He said: “This team displays the relentless Essex Spirit day after day.

"After winning the Super League Regular Season title on Tuesday night they faced a well organised Nottingham team in a repeat of last years BUCS semi-final.

"The squad were clinical with their performance, never giving Nottingham a chance to build any momentum, winning 3-0. Now we turn our focus to BUCS Big Wednesday where we face UEL."

Relive the women's joy at getting to the finals in the gallery below - pictures by Sanne Hoffman

The finals run follows Essex’s record breaking 2024 which saw the University become a top 30 sporting university for the first time in its 60-year history.

Dave Parry, Director of Sport, said: “We’re so proud of our BUCS players for getting to the finals and I just want to thank all the players, coaches, and wider sporting community for getting us there.

“Our volleyball and basketball teams have had amazing seasons and to get to finals really is a testament to everyone’s hard work and dedication.

"We are dedicated to our students making the most of their time at university whether that is on-court or in the lecture hall.

“Whether it is our BUCS teams, Rebels, or student societies, the University really is the home of sport in the Eastern Region.”