Dutch Stiekema-Braakman make it to the Main Draw of Mazury Orlen – Volleyball News
Dutch pairing of Rimke Braakman and Michelle Stiekema got off to a winning start in the Mazury Orlen Grand Slam women’s beach volleyball tournament and clinched success in two matches of the qualifying stage.
The 2012 Mazury Orlen Grand Slam took centre stage on Monday, August 13 in Stare Jablonki, Poland. The day-1 featured German Country Quota Playoffs, while the qualifying stage kicked off on the next day. Braakman/Stiekema entered the Qualification Tournament
on Tuesday and appeared in two matches. Dutch pair finished the day with an impeccable 2-0 record and advanced to the Main Draw of the SWATCH FIVB World Tour event for the first time.
In the first fixture of the day, Braakman/Stiekema took on Ukraine’s Svitlana Baburina-Inna Makhno. The Dutch tandem did not catch a good start in the match and suffered an early set-back. Ukrainian ladies came strong on rivals and claimed the opening set
with six points (21-15).
Nonetheless, Braakman/Stiekema hit back in the following set and managed to overcome the opponents. Better attack and solid blocks enabled Dutch side to win the second frame of the match, 21-14. Dutch team successfully created the tie of game score at 1-1
and continued with success in the decisive third set. Baburina/Makhno put up a good fight with Dutch Braakman/Stiekema in third set, but failed to dig up success. Dutch pair sent 15-12 on board and captured the final set of the match, which led them to victory.
With one victory in hand, Braakman/Stiekema went against Czech Republic’s Martina Bonnerova and Barbora Hermannova in the second match of the day. Dutch duo enjoyed a great form and held off Czech opponents for 2-0 (21-18, 21-15) victory. Braakman/Stiekema
claimed 2-0 record at the end of the day and qualified for the Main Draw.
Braakman was more than happy to earn a Main Draw berth. She expressed her emotions in the following manner: “This is the first time we reached the main draw. It was a good victory and good for me personally and as a team. We felt we could compete at this
level, but a couple of times we had a tough draw, but now we are playing very well.”
The Dutch ladies will return to action on Wednesday in the Main Draw. They have been placed in Pool C alongside duos from Spain, Brazil, and Czech Republic. According to the set schedule, Braakman/Stiekema will play a total of three matches in Round 1 of
the Main Draw. They have two matches on Wednesday and one on Thursday.
Speaking of the upcoming tough challenge, Stiekema stated: “It has been a while, we have practiced so hard and now we have made it. I just want to play the pool phase and enjoy myself. One win would be great.”
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