Olympiacos Piraeus came back from two sets down to beat SL Benfica 3-2 (16-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 15-10) in the first leg of their CEV Challenge Cup Women 1/32 finals tie at the Melina Merkouri hall in Rentis.
Taylor Bannister was sensational with 34 points, Michaela Mlejnková added 15 and Kiki Terzoglou 10, as the Reds won the tie-break by five. Benfica were led by Barcelos da Silva with 25 and Graça Santos with 18. Under the CEV knockout format a second win in Lisbon on November 4, by any score, sends Olympiacos through; a Benfica win would force a Golden Set.
In other matches, ZAON Kifissia beat Rabotnicki Skopje 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-17), led by Elpida Tikmanidou (14) and Zioga (13). AEK Athens crushed Førde 3-0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-13) away, with Terry Enweonwu on 25.
Croatia’s OK Marina Kaštela lost 3-0 (14-25, 19-25, 18-25) at Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen. Jade Demps led the Swiss with 19 and Mirna Bečić scored 12 for Kaštela, DH Volley Baku won 3-1 at Holte (25-14, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22) as Polina Rahimova hit 25; VK Lvi Praha won 3-0 at Janta Kisela Voda (25-17, 25-6, 25-15); Sporting Braga beat ASV Aarhus 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 27-25) behind Emily Elliott’s 19; and Sudosa Assen beat Gym Volley Luxembourg 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-13).
