Imoco Volley and Developres stay unbeaten and secure spots in quarterfinals
Report
On Wednesday night at Sports Hall Ub, the Serbian champion from ZOK Ub were presented one of the toughest challenges as they faced the reigning #CLVolleyW champions A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO. The unbeaten Italian team confirmed their supremacy and despite playing without their greatest stars they quickly earned a straight-set win, a very valuable one, as it already qualified them to quarterfinals of this year's edition. Although, it still remains an open question who will win Pool E - Chemik Police suffered so far only one defeat, so if they win on Thursday, the direct encounter in the last leg between Imoco and Chemik will be decisive - Imoco can already celebrate a progress as in other pools there are two teams with two losses. Later, Developres Rzeszów also earned their fifth victory, defeateing Dresdner SC and like Imoco they also qualified to the next phase of competition. In addition, in the fifth leg they already secured a pool win, the second in Pool A team - Lokomotiv Kaliningrad Region that far suffered two defeats, so they no longer have a chance to top the standings.
ZOK UB vs A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO 0-3 (16-25, 22-25, 13-25)
A. Carraro Imoco CONEGLIANO started the game without their greatest stars Paola Egonu, Joanna Wołosz and Miriam Sylla, but the team quickly started their domination on the court. The hosts kept the pace with their opponents on in early stage of the set, as from 7-6 Imoco speeded up, reaching eight-point advantage at 16-8 and never looked back. With 75% of positive receptions, Giulia Gennari who was on playmaking duty could set a ball in any direction. Raphaela Folie (100% os success in attack) and Loveth Omoruyi (80%) were the top scorers with eight points apiece. In addition, Imoco recorded five winning blocks to and four aces to fully dominated the set.
And probably this domination dull Imoco's vigilance. ZOK Ub with new energy started the second set. Powered by Ljubica Kecman (5 points) and Sara Vucicevic (4 points) they were keeping a two-point lead in the first half of this part until tie at 15-15. And if many could except that then the team under guidance of Daniele Santarelli should dominate again, it was ZOK leading 21-19. Coach Santarelli didn't wait any longer and Miriam Sylla entered the court going to serving line and made a difference.
In the third set, Imoco stayed fully focused. They opened it with 5-0 lead they improved it further to earn emphatic set win and seal their 5th victory and ticket to quarterfinals. Hristina Vuchkova scored match-high 14 points, including 5 blocks, 2 aces and 70% of efficiency in attack and earned a well-deserved MVP award.
Dresdner SC vs Developres RZESZÓW 0-3 (19-25, 22-25, 24-26)
The match-up at Margon Arena in Dresdner didn't start well for the hosts. The unbeaten leader of Pool A - Developres Rzeszów opened it with 8-4 lead and even if the home team led by Maja Storck and Linda Bock (both scored five points apiece) tried their best to short the distance, Rzeszów - despite problems in reception (33%) - but with very well-balanced game and solid block (six winning blocks) sealed a set win.
The team under guidance of coach Alexander Waibl returned on the court very motivated what resulted with good opening (8-3), but the visiting side with Kara Bajema (5 points) and charismatic captain Jelena Blagojevic (4 points) quickly made it up, to eventually turned this set in their favour.
A fierce battle was continued in the third set, as both sides were extremely eager to win it. The fans gathered at Margon Arena and those in front of TV could witness a passionate fight over the net between Sorck (9 points) and Bajema (8). First, Dresdner got a set ball, but Storck made a fault serve and then she spike in out giving Rzeszów an opportunity to close the match what they quickly did with winning block from Anna Stencel. Maja Storck tallied match-high 19 points, once Kara Bajema contributted with 17 points in her team's win to be named the MVP.
This victory and progress to quarterfinals can be considered a pre-birthday gift for coach Stephane Antiga, as on Thursday he turns 46.
Stephane Antiga“We are very happy with the result, which was not easy to achive. We had to play a really great volleyball. We so wanted to qualify for the next round. It would be the first time for the club and also for most of the girls. We knew it would not be easy, since we did not have a long time to prepare for this game. We only had one practice before, and Dresden is a team with different characteristics. I am really super happy, it’s a great result for the team. We’ll do our best to also win the last game, even though we are already qualified for the next round, but we want more.”
head coach of Developres Rzeszów
Alexander Waibl"We would have liked to win, of course, but in the end you have to say that Rzeszow is the better team. They were in many points a tick stronger, higher and more efficient than we were, and you have to acknowledge that. We have a lot of respect for this opponent, and we will be able to take something from this game for ourselves as well. You always learn from such high-class matches.”
head coach of Dresdner SC
