Zenit St. Petersburg triumphed in a nail-biting five-set match against MGTU Moscow on their opponent’s home court. Despite initially leading 2-0, Zenit found themselves pushed to the limit, ultimately pulling off a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 3-2 (25-12, 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 15-12).
The visitors started strong, showcasing a dominant performance in the first two sets. With powerful serves by Igor Tisevich and Marlon Yant, Zenit quickly established control, sealing the first set at 25-12. The second set saw MGTU attempt to level the playing field, but Zenit maintained their momentum, winning 25-19.
MGTU Moscow, however, rallied in the third set. Key players Leonid Shchadilov and Saveliy Pozdnyakov spearheaded the comeback with decisive attacks, narrowing the gap. Their determination paid off as MGTU edged out Zenit 25-23 in both the third and fourth sets, sending the game into a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Zenit regained their composure. With a strong serving streak from Tisevich and clutch plays from Egor Kliuka, they managed to secure a 15-12 victory, wrapping up the match in dramatic fashion.
Zenit’s coach Vladimir Alekno praised his team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of securing the win despite the challenges. “It’s good that we won. These games test character,” he said.
MGTU’s coach Yuri Nechushkin lauded his team’s fighting spirit, highlighting their ability to push a top-tier opponent to the brink. “The guys showed potential and played excellent volleyball,” he remarked.
