Developres and Fenerbahce book last tickets to #CLVolleyW quarterfinals

The last two spots in the quarterfinals of the CEV Champions League Volley 2023 - Women were at stake on Thursday evening. Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul led by their charismatic leaders Melissa Vargas and Arina Fedorovtseva prevailed 3-1 over Grupa Azoty Chemik Police to become the third team from Türkiye in the last eight. Once, Developres Rzeszów returned in fashion winning with Volero Le Cannet in straight sets and booking the last available spot in dramatic Golden Set. Gabriela Orvosova, who scored as many as 26 points and made only 2 errors, was a hero of the night in Poland.

Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul vs Grupa Azoty Chemik Police 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-18)

After winning a first play-off encounter in a thrilling five-setter in Police, Fenerbahce Opet Istanbul took on Grupa Azoty Chemik Police at VakifBank Spor Sarayi Istanbul. The opening set was full of turnarounds, but Arina Fedorovtseva was a player who made a difference. Already at the beginning, her three aces gave Fenerbahce a 7-3 lead. Chemik Police managed to reduce the gap to 9-7, but only for a brief moment, as Zoran Terzic's squad ran away with the score to 16-10 and once it looked that they were aiming for an easy set win, Police came back again. With Martyna Łukasik on serve (2 aces) they tied at 17-17, but the next three points belonged to Fenerbahce. Another tie came at 21-21, but in the decisive part Fedorovtseva, who in total tallied 8 points in this part, sealed the deal at 25-23.

Also in the second part, when Fedorovtseva went to the service line, the Police got in trouble. Fenerbahce jumped to a four-point lead (7-3). In contrast to the previous set, the hosts didn't let go of the advantage and fully controlled the situation on the court, winning it 25-19. Fenerbahce outspiked their rivals 18-11 (53% - 33%), once 6 of their kills came from Melissa Vargas.

Having their back against the wall, Chemik with great team efforts ran to a 9-3 lead. Polish rising star Martyna Czyrniańska impressed with her smart plays (6 points). Fenerbahce kept pushing hard on Chemik, but the visiting team stayed on the lead (12-8, 18-13). In the decisive part of the set, both sides didn't play flawless, however Police withstood the pressure and closed the set 25-21 after successful attack from Jovana Brakocevic Canzian (7 points).

It was a cold shower for Fenerbahce, who opened the 4th set with a 6-3 lead. Police tried to keep the rivals in sight, but in the middle of the set the hosts jumped to 14-10 and didn't waste the opportunity to stamp their ticket to quarterfinals, winning 25-18.

Melissa Vargas topped the scorers' chart with 25 points - including 18 kills, 5 aces and 2 blocks - and got a well-deserved MVP award. She could count on a big support from Fedorovtseva who tallied 18 points. On the other side of the net Jovana Brakocevic Canzian scored 20 points. In quarterfinals Fenerbahce will face the club world champions Imoco Conegliano.

Developres Rzeszów - Volero Le Cannet 3-0 (25-15, 29-27, 26-24) Golden Set: 15-13

In the first match-up Volero Le Cannet in front of the home crowd at La Palastre Le Cannet upset in straight sets Developres Rzeszów, who was a pre-favourite of this play-off duel. The club from Rzeszów were determined to stay in the quest for the #CLVolleyW crown and opened the match in impressive fashion. Led by the captain Jelena Blagojević and Gabriela Orvosova - incredible 9 points, Rzeszów jumped to a 13-5 lead and never looked back winning the set 25-15.

The second set started better for Volero, who took a 5-2 lead. But having no room for mistake, Rzeszów with teamwork levelled up the score at 6-6. The visiting team took a three-point lead one more time at 12-9, but great plays from Ann Kalandadze (5 points in set 2), Jelena Blagojevic (7 points) and Weronika Centka (4 points) let the team not only to tie, but also step ahead with 18-15 lead. The rivals kept pushing, headed by Vita Akimova (6 points), denying two set set points. Thus, the game went into extra time. A thrilling battle went in favour of Rzeszów 29-27.

Powered by Akimova (5 points) and Elizaveta Kochuina (7 points), Volero took an early 10-6 lead and kept the distance save until 15-10. Then, Rzeszów started to chase the score and succeeded at 18-18. A tight point-by-point race continued until the end of the set. Gabriela Orvosova was a leader of the team again, scoring 8 points and she made a difference with her serve in the decisive moment, when her team won 26-24. Thus, the Golden Set was needed to determine the last quarterfinalist.

Powerful spikes from Akimova gave Volero 4-2 lead in the Golden Set, which was a battle of nerves. Kalandadze and Blagojevic helped the hosts to tie at 5-5, but next two points went to Volero again. Two impressive blocks from Centka, then one attack from Rapacz meant three consecutive points for Rzeszów. Despite excellent reception of Cannet (73%), Rzeszów prevailed in the decisive moment. The Golden Set was closed after failed serve from Kochurina.

Gabriela Orvosova, who was the best scorer of the match with 26 points to her name - 23 kills (and only 2 errors in this element during the entire match!) and 3 blocks, was named MVP. Ann Kalandadze contributed with 16 points in Rzeszów's win. Once on Volero's side Vita Akimova tallied 17. In the quarterfinals the team led by Stephane Antiga will face Eczacibasi Istanbul.