Uralochka-NTMK shockingly swept the semi-final series of the 2021/22 Russian Women’s Volleyball Championship against the regular-season winners Dinamo-Ak Bars at 2-0.
The 5th-seed Uralochka defeated top-seed Dinamo Kazan for the second time in the playoff semi-finals of the 2021/22 Women’s Superliga Paribet (Суперлига Парибет Женщины). Thus, the team commanded by the Guinness World Records holder Nikolay Karpol made a huge stunner, losing only one set in two games against the best team in the league in the regular season: 3-1 and 3-0. Even though they could count on Croatian Samanta Fabris for the first time since March 30, Dinamo Kazan failed to avoid getting swept in the series. Kseniya Parubets and Cuban Ailama Cesé scored 18 points apiece for the Ekarterniburg side. The latter made 5 blocks.
Uralochka, the Russian women’s club with the most national titles counting both the Soviet and post-Soviet era (25: 11 in the Soviet Championship and 14 in the Russian Championship) reached the final for the first time since 2016 and will try to win the first trophy in Superliga since 2005.
There was another surprise in the semis, though a far lesser one: Lokomotiv (No.3) eliminated Dinamo Moscow (No.2) and advanced to their fourth championship final in as many years of the club’s existence. The Kaliningrad side prevailed over the club from the country’s capital in 4 sets in Game 2 (the first match ended 3-2) and will have the chance to defend the historical title taken last year.
Irina Voronkova tallied 24 points on the winning side. Valeriya Zaytseva and Tatyana Ezhak set up 4 blocks apiece, while Yana Shcherban had 72% reception (32 digs; 41% excellent).
2021/22 Women’s Superliga Paribet – playoff semi-finals, Game 2:
