Atom Trefl SOPOT
Atom Trefl SOPOT had lost twice to Tauron MKS in round 1 and 2 (0:3 and 1:3) but showed great determination and fighting spirit to claim the next couple of matches played at Ergo Arena. In the fifth clash played in Dabrowa Gornicza, the home heroines had started out strong going up 2:0 in sets and leading the way 20:17 in the third but by the time the fate of the game looked already determined, Atom Trefl fought their way back winning set 3 at 25-23 anchored by Noris Cabrera, Rachel Rourke and their setter Izabela Belcik. That was the turning point of the game as SOPOT went on to claim set 4 quite comfortably (25-17) and then finished it off at the tie-break (15-12) via the brilliant play contributed once more by Belcik and Rourke.
“This was the happiest day in my life” head coach Adam Grabowski recalls. “We thought that our opponents were going to feel the pressure but finally we were also standing on shaking legs. Still we could prolong the game and we were physically well prepared so that in the end we had the upper hand and our good conditioning turned into our major asset” he adds. “After losing the first two matches I had some doubts about our chances to retain the title” the mentor of Atom Trefl continues. “However, we eventually climbed up all the way through from hell to heaven. Of course Rachel Rourke did an excellent job because she scored an incredible number of points but we shall not forget that for her to be able to do this first someone had to pass and set the ball properly. So this result stems from a great team effort” he stresses.
Tauron MKS DABROWA GORNICZA could not capitalize on five match balls to bring the series to an end in their favor. “After winning the third and fourth round at the tie-break here in Sopot I did believe in our chances to defend the title” Atom Trefl opposite player Klaudia Kaczorowska says. “We could survive to some difficult moments and even to a series of match balls for our rivals. I will remember this final series for the rest of my life” she adds.
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