Malory Eagles reserves ran out 24-17 25-19 25-14 winners over National Volleyball League opponents Stowmarket in the first round of the National KO Cup at Ernest Bevin College.

The first set saw coach John Lowney opt for experience with a starting line up of Benoit Disch, Graham McConney, Roger Mullings, Robbert Van Heel, Andrew Isabirye and play maker Carlos Johnson.

The set began disastrously as a combination of poor attack selection and errors allowed Stowmarket to open a 7-0 lead.

Lowney was forced to call a time-out giving the team a serious dressing down. Malory returned to court fully focused and strengthened by the introduction of defensive specialist Arjan Groen. Johnson began spreading his offence intelligently allowing the Eagles to claw back Stowmarket’s lead and push on to take the set 24-17.

The second set saw Lowney replace Mullings, Disch and Van Heel with Raf Wlodarski, Bart Wanot and Simon Ojomoh as he tried out his new season line-up.

The changes upset Malory’s balance and for a while they struggled to retain a rhythm. In spite of pressure from an increasingly confident Stowmarket attack, the team were able to dig deep and keep their opponents at bay.

The middle of set two was closely fought but Malory eventually took the set 25-19.

The third set saw Lowney make further changes, this time easily handled by the Eagles who were in full flight. Veterans McConney and Johnson, Wlodarski, Wanot and Isabirye were joined by new boy Ivan Zamprianov in their 25-14 victory.

Malory Eagles will visit National League One Polonia, recently beaten by the Eagles’ first team, in the next round.