Ipswich Volleyball Club’s ladies travelled in numbers to the Kingston-on-Thames Arena to face early league pace-setters Southampton and Richmond.

After Richmond had bested Southampton in their clash, the Suffolk side squared off with the Saints.

Southampton were hungry for points and made light work of the ladies in the first set, winning 25–16.

But Ipswich responded very well, and with a change of tactics and tighter blocking Ipswich took the second set convincingly 25–14.

The experienced Southampton side kept pushing and took the next set 25–15, before sealing the match 25-20 in the fifth set after Ipswich had led much of the way.

Emma Goosey took her first MVP of the season for Ipswich playing as their outside hitter.

Ipswich then faced hosts Richmond, who took the first set 25-13.

The second set saw Ipswich get off to a positive start with a small points lead, but a very strong Richmond side pushed ahead and took it 25–18, although Ipswich were improving and growing as a team.

The third set saw both teams battle it out with neither managing to get ahead. The scores were level at 24–24, but Richmond again proved stronger at the key moments to take the next two points and win 26–24.

Ipswich’s Jenny Ubasa picked up MVP for her stunning performance as the team’s libero, saving what looked like sure point winners for Richmond to keep the rallies long and tense.

While the defeats were a setback for Ipswich, they can take heart from a fine showing against two of the best teams in the league.

The ladies started the season with two wins at their new home of Northgate Sports Centre.

Firstly facing Ashcombe Dorking 2, Ipswich turned their fortunes around after falling two sets behind to triumph 3-2, Iza Karwacka the star player.

Ipswich also beat Maidstone 3-1, with Julia Vidot the MVP.