THE Wessex men’s volleyball team began their season with a victory over Oxford.

The side fielded six new signings in the Volleyball National Shield clash and lost the first set 26-24 after being tied at 24-24, as the team found it hard to gel to begin with.

But coach Geoff Allen brought Matt Hunter on to give his side experience from the former England player, which proved decisive.

Wessex won the second set 25-15, before Oxford rallied in the third, but Wessex were able to hold them off, with setter Michael Wahl feeding fast balls to middle hitters Seb Smith and Marcos Perez Martin to win 25-21.

They saw themselves a set point down in the fourth set but were able to demonstrate their resilience to win 28-26, this fighting spirit embodied by amazing recoveries from Sam Reid and Ellis Phillips.

Wessex took the win 3-1, ahead of the start of their National League campaign away at Cardiff on October 12.

Competing in the country’s top league, Wessex women begin their Super League season with a home match to Malory, London, at Parkstone Grammar School this Saturday, October 5 at 12.30pm.