Luxembourg, October 10, 2018. Austrian newcomers to the CEV Volleyball Champions League - Women, UVC Holding GRAZ were outplayed by Dutch champions SLIEDRECHT Sport in the first match of the 1st Round. The team of coach Vera Koenen are playing their second #CLVolleyW in a row, after making their debut last year with a worthy effort, eventually losing to Final Four competitors and eventual bronze medal winners Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO in the 3rd Round. The Dutch need to win two more sets from their home match next week in order to advance to the 2nd Round, where Allianz MTV STUTTGART would be the next opponent. 

UVC Holding GRAZ (AUT) vs. SLIEDRECHT Sport (NED) 0-3 (13-25, 14-25, 17-25)

• Powerful hits, a stable block and punchy services lead SLIEDRECHT Sport to success against the Champions League rookies UVC Holding GRAZ.
• The Styrian team fought ambitiously and showed spectacular defensive actions in the new Raiffeisen Sportpark hall.
• After clearly losing set one and two, the home side powered up and put SLIEDRECHT under pressure with tricky short balls and hard serves, reaching a four-point lead at 12-8. SLIEDRECHT swiftly started a comeback, found back its strengths and eventually won set three 25-17.
• Carlijn Ghijssen-Jans was top scorer of the match with 12 points, including five blocks.

Eva Dumphart (see below, nr 6 in black and green), captain of UVC Holding GRAZ: "We wanted to start really powerfully, but we didn't manage to put pressure on them with our service. We seemed a bit intimidated in attack. Only in set three we managed to show some more powerful attacks and some good rallies. But in the end they played on a higher level."

Anja Dörfler, player of UVC Holding GRAZ: "We wanted to play a better game, but unfortunately it did not work out today. But playing on this level was a great experience!"