25/02/2016 23:21
Volero bounce back to claim last spot in CL Playoffs 6 and take on VakifBank
2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
Zurich, Switzerland, February 25, 2016. After losing the first matchup at the tie-break, Volero ZÜRICH bounced back on Thursday night to record a 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19) home victory over Lokomotiv BAKU to get the right to face VakifBank ISTANBUL in the Playoffs 6 of the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Women. Volero ZÜRICH Olesia Rykhliuk laid the foundations for the victory over Aneta Havlickova’s (16 points) Lokomotiv BAKU with 21 points.
Do or die. This was the starting situation for Volero ZÜRICH before the big second leg game at the Saalsporthalle. After the multiple Swiss champs had fallen 2-3 to Lokomotiv BAKU in the first match in the capital of Azerbaijan, Avital Selinger promised that Volero would bounce back in front of their loyal supporters in Zurich.
And it looked like Selinger would keep his word at the very beginning of the opening set. Volero ZÜRICH outpaced their opponents from Baku. This offensive dominance resulted in a clear 11-6 lead for the hosts. The Azerbaijanis, however, were not downcast and fought their way back into the set thanks to their fighting spirit. Volero ZÜRICH, on the other hand, started to struggle in their offensive game. The hosts seemed to get too impatient. Lokomotiv BAKU used their chance and took advantage of Volero’s shakiness. Carlo Parisi’s side came back and eventually claimed the first set 25-21.
But the hosts did not lose their hope despite this bummer in the first set of this make-or-break game. Volero improved their effectiveness and as a consequence, the over 1,800 fans in the stands could enjoy Volleyball at its finest with long and thrilling rallies. The crowning moment for the supporters, however, was the crucial set point to seal the final 25-18.
The success in the second set inspired the 2015 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship bronze medallists. The Swiss came out with all guns blazing in set 3. The ‘Ladies in Purple’ just rolled over BAKU’s defence with their multi-variant attacking game. Volero middle blockers Ekaterina Orlova and Foluke Akinradewo, on the other hand, did a big share by holding back Lokomotiv’s strikers with some unbelievable blocks. As a consequence, the Swiss champs prevailed 25-14 and took the lead at 2-1.
The Saalsporthalle was on fire. Volero ZÜRICH were only set away from the Playoffs 6 – and Lokomotiv BAKU, on the other hand, were with their back against the wall. Nevertheless, the Azerbaijanis were poised to keep alive their dream of making the Playoffs 6. The team from the Caspian Sea found back to their rhythm of the first set. The game was tight. The visitors even led by 16-15 before Volero ZÜRICH proved their cold-bloodedness – and sent their 1,800 supporters in the stands into heaven with the game-winning point to seal their 3-1 win (21-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19).
Nonetheless, Volero ZÜRICH will have no time to sit back in the upcoming weeks. The multiple Swiss champs already have to focus on their upcoming challenger VakifBank ISTANBUL.
Volero ZÜRICH coach Avital Selinger showed himself proud of his team: “We proved our fighting spirit tonight – despite the setback in the first set, where we gave away a good lead in less than two minutes. Nevertheless, I have to admit that Lokomotiv BAKU did an amazing job. They really challenged us tonight. Now we have to continue our hard work and focus on VakifBank ISTANBUL.”
Volero ZÜRICH middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo: “It was without doubt a crucial game. I think that we proved our team spirit tonight. We came together after the bummer in the opening set and pulled together. It was not an easy game as we were put with our back against the wall, but I think this “do-or-die” game helped us a lot to improve as a team.”
Lokomotiv BAKU coach Carlo Parisi, on the other hand, paid tribute to the performance of his players: “A defeat is always bitter, but I also know that Volero ZÜRICH are a Volleyball giant this year. We would have needed another perfect game in order to stop them. I think we could have done better in the offence and played a little bit more aggressive. Nevertheless, I am proud of the performance of my players.”
Lokomotiv BAKU captain Aneta Havlickova could not hide her disappointment: “Of course, we wanted more from this game. We had proved everybody that we are able to defeat Volero. But we didn’t find our rhythm tonight. Against a team like Volero you have to play your very best every second of the game.”
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