Tauron MKS DABROWA GORNICZA-Azerrail BAKU
It was simply a fabulous comeback for the side from Poland that could storm back from two sets down to eventually cruise past the star-studded team from Azerbaijan.
Azerrail definitely caught the best start with Manon Flier and Megan Hodge standing out in offense well powered by their setter Milena Radecka. The home side could not find a way to stop their great attacks and a terrific spike by Flier finished the first set (18-25).
Tauron MKS initially set the pace of the game in set 2 (5:2) but it was Megan Hodge who fired back the response of Azerrail, being simply outstanding and unstoppable from every position. A mistake in defense by Katarzyna Zaroslinska eventually sealed that section of the game (20-25) for the provisional 0:2.
Things turned completely around in the third set as Tauron MKS went up 8:5 by the first technical time-out and the splendid actions finalized by Elzbieta Skowronska and Joanna Kaczor helped the home heroines move to the front with a comfortable margin (19:8). Skowronska eventually went for the 1:2 as she sealed an impressive 25-10 for the local side.
Set 4 was played point for point up to 12 all before Azerrail started making mistakes, Tauron got to the front (15:12) and by showing great determination and fighting spirit, the hosts could assert their supremacy in the game. Kaczor was the most prolific scorer and Ivana Plchotova ended the set with a fast attack from the middle (25-23).
The fifth set was packed with turnarounds, as Azerrail opened strong (1:5, 5:8) but with the help of Skowronska from the serving line the hosts fought their way back and once more Plchotova ended the set.
“I am so angry and disappointed because of this defeat” said Azerrail captain Sara Anzanello. “We stopped playing in the third set while they did really well. We still have lots of matches to play and we have to analyze and fix our problems”.
“We are evidently happy with this win” said local captain Magdalena Sliwa. “Azerrail played really good in the first and second set doing so in every fundamental. I think our opponents did lose as they were too self-confident”.
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