TENDRING Volleyball Club have caused “shockwaves” by easing into the National Cup semi-finals.

And libero Chester Searle believes his on-song men’s team can cause another upset in their last-four showdown against giants Team Northumbria.

The Frinton-based team made progress thanks to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-21) quarter-final success at home to Super 8s side London Lynx on Saturday.

They now face a tough trip to Newcastle-based Northumbria – the reigning league champions and National Cup winners – on February 20.

Tendring will start as underdogs – but Searle believes he and his team-mates can spring a surprise in the North-East.

“We know it’ll be tough, but every team is beatable,” said the 20-year-old.

“We’re in great form and hopefully, if we can win our next two games before the semi-final, we’ll travel up there full of confidence.

“We’ve now beaten Super 8s teams in our last two matches, having previously knocked out London Docklands.

“And we couldn’t have been happier with the outcome of Saturday’s match.

“We were expecting a really tough game but managed to dominate from the start.

“It was a great team performance, with lots of excellent individual displays.

“Everyone upped their game and there was a great atmosphere, with 100 or so people watching at the University of Essex.

“The match was also being screened live on the web, so it was a real spectacle and an outcome that will have caused shockwaves.”

Tendring’s men reached the semi-finals once before, eventually losing to the winners, and then reigning Super 8s champions, Leeds.

“It would be fantastic to kick on and get to the final,” added Searle.

“It would be a first for the club and a massive achievement.”

Tendring have no National League division one fixtures this weekend but play on both February 13 and 14, at home to Coventry and Warwick Riga and Team Essex Blaze respectively.

Meanwhile, Tendring’s women were also in National Cup quarter-final action but lost 3-2 at home to Malory Eagles, on Sunday (see page 53).

They led twice but were eventually beaten 24-26, 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 9-15.

“It was a pity the girls lost but they’re doing very well this season,” said Searle.

“Their aim at the start was to stay up, having been promoted to the Super 8s.

“And having found their feet in the league, they look on course to do that.

“They’re a young side with lots of potential.”

The women are also without a game this weekend but visit Wessex on February 14.