Luxembourg, March 19, 2019.  Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO mastered a sensational turnaround in their quarterfinal series against Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL in the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Women. Having lost the first-leg game at home in straight sets, the Italian squad not only won the return match during their visit at the Turkish giant’s home ground, but also triumphed in the Golden Set to claim a spot among the semifinalists.


Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL (TUR) vs. Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO (ITA) 1-3 (21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 21-25); Golden Set 10-15

•    With a spectator crowd of about 2,350 people at Istanbul’s Burhan Felek Volleyball Hall, both teams pressured each other with great attacks and serves. Winning a thrilling rally with captain Jordan Larson’s attack after setter Ezgi Dilik’s clever tip, Eczacibasi VitrA ISTANBUL came back in the early stages of the first set. American outside hitter Kimberly Hill’s quick attacks helped Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO win the first set by 25-21.



•    Eczacibasi VitrA made a fresh start to the second set with opposite Gözde Yilmaz’s powerful attacks, yet Imoco responded quickly with outside hitter Miriam Sylla fuelling her team in blocking and offence (10-6). Two aces by Lauren Gibbemeyer and Ezgi Dilik were the key to Eczacibasi VitrA tying the set at 11-11, but Imoco won the thrilling second set by 25-23.
•    Leading 4-0 at the beginning of the third set, Eczacibasi VitrA were fuelled by spiker Kim Yeon-Koung’s attacks (15-12) despite Imoco’s quick sets in the middle. Tijana Boskovic, who was substituted late into the set, finished it off with a great attack for 25-21.
•    The fourth set started with a great rally, which ended in favour of Imoco. Although Kim and Boskovic’s attacks were a good response to Kimberly Hill and Karsta Lowe’s spikes, the Italian team won the set by 25-21.
•    Imoco’s three-point win prompted a Golden Set, which the visitors won by 15-10 to seal their spot in the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League.
•    In their semifinal playoff, Imoco Volley will face the winner of the quarterfinal series between Turkey’s Fenerbahce Opet ISTANBUL and Italy’s Savino Del Bene SCANDICCI. Fenerbahce won the first-leg match in four sets. The second leg of this clash is set to take place at Burhan Felek on Tuesday evening at 20:00 local time.



Joanna Wolosz, captain of Imoco Volley CONEGLIANO: "It was an incredible game. We really believed in our chances until the end. I am very happy that we won the fourth set and the Golden Set. Today we gave our best and showed that we are a great team."




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