KIDDERMINSTER volleyball dynamo Rachel Bragg is emerging as England's most potent weapon after helping them to cup success and starring in their World Championship qualifying campaign.

Bragg, 20, was instrumental as the national team lifted the Novotel Cup in Luxembourg, winning the player of the match award in the 3-1 win over the host nation which sealed their success.

England ultimately failed to progress through their first ever World Championship qualifying campaign in Sheffield, so miss out on a place in next year's event in Japan.

But their failed campaign, which pitted them against some of the sport's strongest countries, was extremely encouraging, with Bragg emerging as the shining light. The strong serving of the former Bewdley High School pupil was one of the few pluses in their 3-0 defeat to Serbia and Montenegro in the first qualifier.

Bragg could also hold her head up high in the 3-0 defeat to Spain, winning player of the match after finding a way through the opposition's solid defence.

And she was the star of the show again as England finally secured their first qualifying win with a 3-0 defeat of Scotland.

Bragg continued where she has left off with a powerful display of hitting as England triumphed 25-18, 26-24, 25-21.

In the final match against Albania, Bragg's personal performance was again impressive, but overall the team struggled as they went down 3-0.

Bragg, who started out playing for Bewdley Bears, finished the qualifiers as England's best spiker and ponits scorer.

Bragg has had offers of professional contracts in France and Austria as well as offers of full scholarships to Ohio and Dayton Universities of the NCAAA.

But she is now combining studying at Bath University with playing domestically with the City of Wolverhampton team in the National League and a series of cup competitions.

On the international scene, she will soon be preparing for the 24th World Student Games at Izmir, in Turkey, in the summer.

She represented Great Britain in the last games in South Korea in 2003.

l Cleobury Mortimer secured their first win of 2005 by breezing past hosts Rugby Phoenix in the West Midlands.

Captain Robin Slingsby and Libby Forrester were joint players of the day as Cleobury won 25-9, 25-23 and 25-16.