Vilsbiburg, Germany, March 4, 2015.  Turkey’s BURSA BBSK is just one step away from reaching the semifinals of the 2015 CEV Volleyball Challenge Cup - Women.  BURSA won the first leg of the quarterfinal at Germany’s Rote Raben VILSBIBURG in three sets by 3:0 (25-19, 25- 22, 25-18).  Now Rote Raben VILSBIBURG faces a big challenge to turn things around in the return match next Wednesday in Bursa.

On Wednesday night 1,526 spectators at the Ballsporthalle witnessed the first leg between Rote Raben and BURSA.  Among them were many Turkish fans who supported the away team with the same passion as the Rote Raben fans did for their team.  So it was a great volleyball night with very intense atmosphere in Vilsbiburg.

On the court the Turkish team turned out to be superior in this game.  The hosts fought hard to keep their chances alive in each single set, but finally BURSA showed higher level in several elements such as serving and reception, but also in blocking.  And they had an outstanding Yonkaria Paola Pena Isabel in their team; the outside hitter from the Dominican Republic appeared to become best scorer of the game with 16 points.  As for Rote Raben, Liana Mesa Luaces and Lena Stigrot made 14 points each.

Despite the result Jonas Kronseder was pleased with his team’s performance.  “Overall it was okay,” Rote Raben’s coach said.  “We played rather well, but had some moments with a lack of concentration.  This is what you cannot afford against a team with the quality of BURSA.”

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