Wiggs off to losing start in Paralympics (From Watford Observer)

Great Britain beaten by Ukraine in Paralympics sitting volleyball opener

11:45am Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

There was disappointment for Rickmansworth's Emma Wiggs this morning as Great Britain's sitting volleyball team were well beaten by Ukraine in their opening Paralympics match.

Wiggs and her team-mates faced an uphill battle after they were thumped 25-9 in the opening set by the world's number three side.

Britain improved significantly in the second set but lost out 25-20 and Ukraine duly wrapped up a 3-0 victory by taking the third 25-14.

Paralympics GB will be hoping their fortunes take a turn for the better tomorrow when they return to the ExCel to face the Netherlands.

Afterwards GB captain Claire Harvey said she always thought their opening game would be tricky.

“It was always going to be a tough game,” she said. “We came here with a realistic outlook. We were going to fight for every ball, give it the best game we could and compete at every opportunity. I think we did that today.”

Steve Jones, head coach of the GB women’s team, said: “I was very pleased with the girls. I thought they really dug in deep. Ukraine are a very difficult team to play and we didn’t embarrass ourselves at all.

“I thought the second set particularly was the result of them being loose, letting it go and really feeling they can play the game.”

Some of the biggest cheers of the day were for 7/7 survivor Martine Wright. She said: “The reaction of the crowd was absolutely amazing.

“We played really well today. The serving was good and we’ve got to take a lot from the game. Today was about performance and doing the best we could on court. Hopefully we made everybody proud.”