SECOND-PLACED York bounced back from a 3-2 defeat by Darkstar Derbyshire to beat Nottingham Rockets 2 3-0 in National Volleyball League division three north.

The York College-based side are eight points behind leaders Loughborough Lions after winning six of their ten fixtures.

York watched Nottingham Rockets 2 beat Darkstar 3-1 in the first of the three games at York College.

The hosts then started strongly against Darkstar Derbyshire, winning the first set and going close to taking the second and third.

However, they learned the hard way that hitting the ball the hardest was no guarantee of winning the match.

York scored five more points overall – 110 to 105 – but Darkstar found a way to win the close sets and the tie-break fifth set.

After beating Darkstar 3-1 earlier in the season, York powered into a 19-9 lead en route to a 25-19 win.

York pushed 11-8 ahead in the second on the serve of Adam Kowalski, with James Houston and Adam Meszczynski providing the power on front court. Darkstar fought back to lead 23-19 and although York pulled level at 24-24, Darkstar won 26-24.

Darkstar were 20-13 in front in the third before a York recovery spurred by Houston’s serve.

However, five side-outs saw the visitors take the set 25-23.

The fourth set was neck and neck up to 15-15 and then 20-20, before Houston served five times in a row to clinch the set 25-20.

York took the momentum into the tie-break fifth set and held an 8-4 lead at the change of ends.

Darkstar battled back and, despite York saving the first match point at 14-12, they were unable to stave off defeat at 15-13.

York then got their promotion push back on track with a 3-0 win over a young Nottingham Rockets 2 team.

Coming from 10-6 and 23-20 down in the first set, York showed great resolve as some big hitting from captain Meszczynski and Adam Kupka snatched a thrilling 27-25 win.

Consistent and effective setting from Gerard Lowe helped York grind out a 25-22 second set win.

York well and truly dominated the third set and took it 25-18.

Darkstar are York’s opponents today in the quarter-finals of the National Shield at Joseph Rowntree School, at 12.30pm.