RIO Olympics veteran Lonekke Sloetjes made her presence felt in a tough second set struggle to lead VakifBank Istanbul to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, victory over Bangkok Glass yesterday to formally barge into the semifinals of the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 26-year-old Sloetjes, an opposite hitter for the Dutch national squad that reached the 2016 Rio Olympics semifinals, hit a crosscourt kill that decided the fate of the Vakifbank in their 71-minute long encounter.
Scoring a game-high 17 points throughout the match, the 6’3” Sloetjes, who was adjudged Best Opposite Hitter of the Rio Games, sent the match into a 23-all deadlock and brought VakifBank closer to match point.
An error by Thai spiker Wilavan Ayinapong and teammate Kimberly Hill’s drop shot then handed Vakifbank the match point and a 2-0 led in the match which they eventually won 3-0.
It was team skipper Kirdar Gozde’s turn to shine in the third set as the 5’10” wing spiker hit four of her 11 points to help push Vakifbank out of a 16-all deadlock with a 7-0 run off her crosscourt spikes.
An ace from Melis Durul then handed Vakifbank a 23-16 spread.
VakifBank coach Giovanni Guidetti commended the Thais for putting up a good fight.
“Everytime I play a team from Thailand, I know it’s very fascinating how they play volleyball at this level without enough centimeters (height) compared to others. They played incredible volleyball,” said Guidetti.
Vakifbank finished Pool B with two wins and one loss and entered the semifinals with Volero Zurich.
Earlier, Rykliuk Olesia led the way with 30 points as Volero Zurich survived a five-set match with VakifBank Istanbul, 25-22, 27-25, 16-25, 12-15, 16-14, to sweep their three-game assignment in Pool B.
Defending champion Eczasibasi VitrA Istanbul fought off a hard-fighting Rexona Sesc Rio de Janeiro to post a 25-27, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 15-11, victory and set a semis clash with VakifBank.
Pomi Casalmaggiore scored their second victory and formally made the next round with their 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 win over hosts PSL-F2 Logistics Manila, and moved to a semis showdown with Volero Zurich.
Pomi’s defense allowed them to move ahead 14-4 lead in the first set before PSL-F2 Logistics’ American reinforcement Lindsay Stalzer came into the picture on the defensive end.
PSL-F2 still winless after two games in Pool A, was playing Eczasibasi VitrA Istanbul as of press time last night. They will then battle Hisamitsu Springs Kobe in the fight for fifth to eighth places.
“Whatever the result of this tournament would be, this is good for Philippine volleyball,” said PSL-F2 coach Moro Branislav.
Branislav added that exposure is important for the team.
“There’s big experience in big competitions like this. It’s very important to promote Philippine players. There is good relationship within the players and also the staff. There is a high chance that Filipino players can play in this kind of tournament,” said Branislav.
