Essex Rebels secure double silver at sold-out showpiece

The Essex Rebels ended the league season in style after silver medals at English volleyball’s sold-out showpiece games.

The elite men and women claimed second place at the prestigious Final 4 Weekend clash crowning successful seasons.

The Essex Rebels men’s volleyball team came into the matches as history-makers - taking first place in the national Dynamik Super League for the first time.

Both men’s and women’s sides battled to the play-off finals but sadly missed out in their last games.

Director of Sport Dave Parry praised both sides as “showcasing the best of the Essex Spirit” and thanked all the fans, players, and backroom staff who made the trip to London’s Crystal Palace.

The Final 4 – which unfolded on Saturday and Sunday - came weeks after the Blades student sides took home gold at the esteemed British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Big Wednesday.

Mr Parry said: “I’m so proud of the Essex Rebels for making it to the finals and battling hard in a tough season.

“Every man and woman involved in these teams are exemplary and are inspirations, showcasing the best of the Essex Spirit.

“I want to thank everyone who made this possible and all the fans, players and backroom staff who travelled down to cheer on our sides.”

The Rebels women were the first to play in the finals of the MAAREE Women's Super League on Sunday after beating Team Sideout Polonia in the semis.

In a brave performance the determined Rebels came back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a final showdown against Malory Eagles.

Despite missing out coach Alex Chinery praised his side.

“I'm incredibly proud of the team this weekend, to come back on Saturday down 2-0 for a famous comeback win showed the unquestionable character of this group,” he said.

“Then on Sunday we took the best team in the country, a team packed full of internationals and ex-professionals to the limit.

“To make it to finals in both BUCS and the Super League this season shows the growth of this programme and the level of dedication the team has.

“From no medal last year to a silver this season is an important step as we build towards future success.”

The men were next to play in the finals after vanquishing Newcastle Knights.

In the finals, the Rebels lost to London Giants in a heated clash, which went to five sets, but the Rebels sadly lost out in a tight game.

Despite the heartbreak, the season is not over for the side with the team set to play in their second National Cup Final.

The Rebels will face off against Malory on April 26 in Kettering.

'Crowned the People's Champions'

Alex Porter, Volleyball Performance Coach, said:  I’m immensely proud that the Rebels have been crowned the Super League People’s Champions.

“The Final 4 is always a formidable challenge, and the way this team battled to the very end is a testament to their character and relentless belief in overcoming any obstacle.

“Winning the Final 4 silver, on top of the Super League Regular Season title and the BUCS National Championship, is an incredible achievement.

“But the real victory was the outpouring of love from the sold out crowd at Crystal Palace and online, which declared them the People’s Champions.

“This squad has been together since day one of the season and for some of them this weekend’s final was the pinnacle of five years’ worth of development at Essex.

“The squad is the perfect blend of home-grown British talent complimented with a handful of legitimate international student-athletes and each of them has played a role in our success so far.”

All pictures by Sanne Hoffman