Defending champions Poland advanced to the Volleyball Nations League final with a straight-sets victory over Slovenia in the first semifinal. Poland won 3-0, taking the sets 25-16, 25-19 and 25-17 in front of nearly 5,000 spectators in Ningbo Beilun.
Wilfredo Leon led the poland and was the match top scorer with 16 points, including six serve aces, eight attacks and two blocks. Bartlomiej Boladz added 15 points as Poland controlled the contest through strong serving, blocking and efficient attack.
Slovenia briefly recovered from an early deficit to level the opening set at 14-14, but Poland responded with a decisive run and closed it comfortably.
The second set was more competitive, with Slovenia taking a 5-4 lead, but Poland regained control in the latter stages. Leon again caused problems from the serve line before Bartlomiej Lemański sealed the set with a block.
Poland then opened the third set with four straight points and never allowed Slovenia back into the match. Two consecutive blocks from Artur Szalpuk created match point before Lemański completed the victory.
Poland finished with a 9-3 advantage in aces, led 12-6 in blocks and recorded 35 attacking points to Slovenia’s 25.
Alen Pajenk was Slovenia’s top scorer with 11 points, including four blocks and two aces. Rok Možič added seven points, while Tine Urnaut and Nik Mujanović scored six each.
Poland will face the winner of the Japan-United States semifinal in Sunday’s title match. Slovenia will play the loser in the bronze-medal contest.
Result: Poland beat Slovenia 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17).