Panathinaikos opened the Women’s Volley League finals with a commanding straight-sets victory over ZAON, winning 3-0 to take a 1-0 lead in the championship series.
Micaya White led Panathinaikos with 17 points, while Haylie Bennett added 13. Eiríni Chatziefstratiádou contributed nine points and four blocks in the win.
The home side dominated the opening set and carried the momentum into the second. ZAON mounted its strongest challenge in the third set, rallying to tie at 24-24, but Panathinaikos held firm in the closing points to complete the sweep.
ZAON was led by Errika-Pelagia Gravari with 10 points, while Katerína Gióta and Elpida Tikmanidou each scored eight.
The best-of-five finals series moves to Zirinio Hall (Kifisia) for Game 2 on Sunday, with Panathinaikos needing two more victories to secure the title.
Result: Panathinaikos bt ZAON 3-0 (25-10, 25-19, 26-24).