21/01/2016 23:24
Volero ZÜRICH add yet another win to their perfect run
2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
Zurich, Switzerland, January 21, 2016. On Thursday night multiple Swiss champions Volero ZÜRICH extended their winning streak in Pool D of the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Women as they beat French top side RC CANNES 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-13). Dobriana Rabadzhieva and Olesia Rykhliuk paced the hosts with 12 points apiece on their way to a clear-cut victory as Nadiia Kodola top scored for RC CANNES with 13.
Thus, the Swiss standout remains unbeaten in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Avital Selinger’s side now have the opportunity to cement their leading position in Pool D with a perfect streak if they prevail in their last pool game in Ekaterinburg, Russia, which is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 26, at 7pm local time.
Volero ZÜRICH are on fire. The multiple Swiss champs had won all of their four matches without dropping a single set in the 2016 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League before their home match against arch-rivals RC CANNES.
And the Volleyball night started well for Volero ZÜRICH. Avital Selinger’s side already had a reason to cheer before the start of the game as Serbian setter Ana Antonijevic was about to celebrate her comeback after a long absence due to injury.
This big news seemed to provide an extra boost of energy to Volero ZÜRICH in the opening set. The hosts put a lot of pressure on their opponents from the French Riviera with a strong serving game and an almost flawless performance. The French ladies, on the other hand, attempted to make it a close game. Yan Fang’s squad gave everything to keep the ball in play with some big saves but Volero proved too strong and eventually clinched the opening set 25-20.
At the very beginning of the second set, the multiple Swiss champs kept their rhythm high, but started to struggle in the sequels. At this important stage of the set, however, Dobriana Rabadzhieva and Foluke Akinradewo made the difference with their laser-shot-like smashes.
Most of all, Volero ZÜRICH top star Akinradewo outclassed her opponents with an unbelievable precision in her smashes – and closed the second set at 25-19 with another little Volleyball wonder.
In the third set Volero ZÜRICH started to spoil their supporters. The Swiss elite side overpowered the reigning French champs and scored eleven points in a row. RC CANNES tried to fight their way back into the game, but Volero responded with a display of real offensive power. The big highlight of the set, however, was Ana Antonijevic’s return to international Volleyball after being out for almost a year. The Serbian national player was welcomed with a humongous standing ovation by the 1,720 spectators at Saalsporthalle. Antonijevic and her teammates paid back their supporters in the stands with an impressive 25-13 run in the third and last set.
Volero ZÜRICH coach Avital Selinger said after the game: “I think RC CANNES did a great job in the opening set. They made some unbelievable saves and kept the game very tight. They started to struggle afterwards as we were able to increase the pressure on their defence.”
Volero ZÜRICH setter Ana Antonijevic about her comeback: “It feels great to be back in the business – even more against my former club RC CANNES. I know that I still have a long way to go to get back to the level I could display before the injury. But I am poised to give everything to do my part of the job for the team. I am sure that we can achieve a lot, because we have got so much talent.”
RC CANNES coach Yan Fang: “My team positively surprised me in the opening set. My players fought really hard and gave everything to keep the ball in play. Afterwards, however, we started to struggle and couldn’t stand Volero ZÜRICH’s offensive power.”
RC CANNES outside spiker Nadiia Kodola: “I have to admit that I am a little bit disappointed. We did not play bad in the opening set, but then we were not able to play our best Volleyball. Nevertheless, I think we proved our team spirit tonight. Now we have to work hard to learn from this defeat.”
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