Bulgaria drops tough three-set match to the Netherlands – Volleyball news
Despite putting a lot of effort in the 2nd round opener of 2012 CEV Women’s Junior Volleyball Championship, Bulgaria dropped the decision in favour of Dutch team.
The two teams came into competition on Wednesday, April 11 in BARDEJOV, Slovakia. Dutch ladies proved to be better and stamped 3-0 (29-27, 25-22, 25-20) victory over Bulgaria.
DIMITROVA Gergana of Bulgaria put in utmost effort for her team. She added match-high 13 points in Bulgaria’s score. However, the team could not benefit from her wonderful strike in the match. BRAAKHUIS of Netherlands emerged as second best scorer with a
total of 12 points.
In the first set, Bulgaria did not have the best start. They dropped a few of the easy shots and trailed behind. Meanwhile, the “Oranjes” displayed thrilling action on the net and picked up lead. Gergana and GRIGOROVA of Bulgaria helped the team with consecutive
points and retook lead. After the first mandatory stop, the game picked up further pace.
Both teams exchanged long rallies, while the score shifted up with close gaps. The opening set of the match swiftly inched its way to the finish line. The Dutch side served via Annelies Dokter, who delivered a superb ace to close the first set at 29-27.
Bulgaria lost set1 with a narrow margin of two points, which enticed the team to play aggressively in the following set. Nonetheless, it was not easy to dismantle the power of Dutch ladies. Bulgaria struggled with two-point lead at 8-6 but soon the rival
side attained better position. Bulgarian team was restricted to low score, while Netherland captured second set, 25-22.
Dutch team enjoyed a great rhythm and tone in the third set. The Oranjes sent Bulgaria to a bitter defeat in the 82nd minute of the game, which Netherlands close third set at 25-20.
The Bulgarian mentor, Radoslav Bakardzhiev, regretted the loss of opening match but praised the great effort of his team.
He stated, “We fought very well, but we lost a close first set and our morale went down. We tried to come back but we were not able to do it. It was just the first game and we have four more to come.”
The winning head coach Matt van Wezel also had his say about the match. He said, “The first set was very difficult, our middle-blocker Lynn Blenckers made three good services and they made some easy mistakes and helped us come back. We were very nervous,
we made a lot of mistakes that we normally don’t do. We won the first set with some luck and then we got the right confidence and we played a little bit better.”
With a very good start in the tournament, the Dutch Coach seemed determined to repeat the feat in upcoming matches.
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