13/11/2017 17:43
Olympiacos take lead in Greek women’s national league
News from the National Federations
Piraeus, Greece, November 13, 2017. Olympiacos PIRAEUS have moved to the top of the standing in the Greek women’s national league following completion of the fourth round. AO Thiras Santorini claimed the derby with Pannaxiakos NAXOS to sit in third place. Aris THESSALONIKI are sandwiched between Olympiacos and AO Thiras but they have played one match more than the current leaders.
Results – 4th Round
Olympiacos vs. Makedones 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-18)
Iraklis Kifisias vs. Aris 0-3 (20-25, 16-25, 14-25)
Markopoulo vs. Korinthos 1-3 (25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 20-25)
Pannaxiakos vs. AO Thiras 0-3 (19-25, 15-25, 23-25)
Porfiras vs. Ilioupoli 2-3 (16-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 14-16)
Current standing
1. Olympiacos 9p. (9-0)
2. Aris 9p. (9-3)
3. AO Thiras 9p.
4. Pannaxiakos 9p. (9-5)
5. Makedones Axiou 8p. (9-6)
6. Ilioupoli 8p. (9-6)
7. Korinthos 4p. (6-7)
8. Iraklis Kifisias 3p. (3-9)
9. Porfiras 1p. (2-9)
10. Aias Evosmou 0p. (2-9)
11. Markopoulo 0p. (3-12)
The opposite hitter of Olympiacos, Saskia Hippe (pictured), received the award for the MVP of the fourth round. The German opposite dedicated the award to her teammates and said that staying in Athens for a second straight year was an easy decision to take.
The MVP award, is that something that you have been chasing?
No, not really. I play to give my best all the time and want my team to win. Volleyball is a team sport, so a good team performance is what really matters. That is why I want to dedicate this award to my team, because without them I could not play that good.
You are spending a second straight season with Olympiacos. What was your biggest motivation for this decision? Is it the high level of the organisation in the team?
Yes, for sure. I love it here. Throughout my career, I never found a club as well organised as this one. People help you anytime you need something and it really feels like I am a member of a big family. There was no reason for me to leave.
After four games this year, what are the differences in the team from last year?
I think our team has even more potential than last year. We try to play quicker and we are working hard to improve every day. Until now, we did not lose a set, which is already a very big achievement.
Is the quality of life important for an athlete in order to play better or is it more the quality of the team or both?
Both, I think. As I said, since this is a team sport, you depend on your teammates. It is easy to spike good if the setting is perfect. However, we are no machines, but humans. That is why it is always helpful when you feel good off the court too. I am lucky to have both here.
How important is it to have another German as your teammate?
I think it is a nice bonus. I like people and different cultures, so I would not have a problem being the only German on the team. However, now that Jana [Jana Franziska Poll] is here, I appreciate it a lot to speak some German every now and then and talking about home a little bit.
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