NVL newcomers – Loughborough Students 2 

NVL Coach: Lily Raivadera. 

Social media handles: @lborovolleyball (Instagram), @LboroVolleyball (Facebook) 

The view at Loughborough Students women is that the time is now right to have a second team in the NVL. 

Not only did the first team win promotion to Division 1 North after finishing second in Division 2 North in 2024-25, but the side which will form a chunk of the team to embark on its maiden national league season won the regional East Midlands division they contested. 

With an improved strength in depth made possible by four different team groups – firsts, seconds, thirds and Devs, who at BUCS, regional and county level – the numbers and interest are also there to make it a viable prospect. 

“We wanted an extra chance to get together and play more than once a week for BUCS,” said Kiera Delahay, the club’s co Vice-Chair. “The club is now a lot more popular, we have the infrastructure and we had success last season, so now seemed the right time to go for it.  

“Once you have an NVL side, that can also help you pull in other players, as we have seen with non-Loughborough students now starting to play in our (NVL) first teams. 

“We now have a really good pool of players to pick from across the club, who are entering different leagues at different levels, so we are in a good place to have the numbers to compete for spots.” 

But with regular volleyball available already, what has made the students want to sacrifice their weekend lie-ins to play even more? 

Apart from a collective despite to improve their skills, the social aspect also plays a big part, says Kiera. 

She said: “It is going to be good for us to have more competition, but also to spend more time together – because we all get on with each other really well. 

“Going away for the triangulars together means we will get to see each other and have funs at weekends, as well as in the week.” 

Among the biggest challenges the new team faces is a rapid integration of new players and returners following the start of the new academic year. 

This was underlined by Loughborough’s men’s first team last season, as they lost their opening two NVL games but then lost just once more during the rest of the campaign. 

“We are never sure what the exact make-up of the squad will be until pretty late on because as a university, we don’t return after the summer until quite late,” said Kiera. 

“Our trials will be on 1st October and the first game is on 5th October, so that gives us just a four-day turnaround! 

“It makes it hard, but it’s what we have to do at the start of each season and returning players are getting together for a pre-season. 

“We try to ask players who are still in the squad from previous years to come back earlier, but it isn’t always possible if they are coming from overseas, so it will be a tricky and frantic start to the season.” 

While some NVL newcomers are hoping for instant success, the Students will be content to feel their way into NVL competition during 2025-26. 

Whatever the outcome of their matches, they want the experience to be an enjoyable one for all. 

“It’s always hard to know how it’s going to go and how strong the other teams are, but with this being our first year, our first objective is to stay in the league and then build from there,” said Kiera. 

“I have played in the NVL before I came to uni for South Hants and then Urbond Portsmouth, but I’m not sure how many of the others will have. 

“It will be about getting people used to it... the standard, the travelling a little bit further and the need to stay switched on for a full day when playing two matches, especially if you are playing first and third and have a break in between.

“But it promises to be a lot of fun.”