Lokomotiv Baku earns ticket to the final of 2012 CEV Challenge Cup – Volleyball news
Azerbaijan’s Lokomotiv BAKU defeated Belgium’s VDK GENT Dames in the second match of semi-final round and paved its way to the final of 2012 CEV Women’s Challenge Volleyball Cup.
Baku ladies influenced the opponents with strong offense and solid defence. The Sarhadchi Olympic Sports Centre in Baku hosted the match, while hosts launched authority on the visiting team. Match decision was out in three sets as Baku posted 25-17, 25-22,
and 25-18. Lokomotiv Baku is now scheduled to take on Baki Baku in the All-Belgium final match.
METCALF Nancy Jean played an instrumental role in Azerbaijan’s victory. She topped all the scorers with her match-high 18 points. Likewise, KAMENOVA and MILOS did a great job for Baku. They contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively. On Belgium’s team, VANDESTEENE
was the only player, who went into double digits. She notched up 15 points and settled for the position of second-best scorer in the match.
The beginning of the game was very balanced as VDK GENT Dames played bravely and did not show any sign of intimidation by the Azerbaijani crowd. Both teams seemed to have problems with the execution of attack shots in the first few minutes.
However, the game picked up pace gradually and the spectators at Sarhadchi Sports hall saw an exchange of long rallies and mighty shots. The hosts led the score with slight margin, while Belgians continued putting more and more effort. VDK GENT Dames called
in better substitutions but Baku did not allow them to come up.
Visiting team asked for a time when it was four points behind the opponent at 15-19. They discussed the prospects of the game during break and returned with a new ambition to down Baku. The strategy did not work and VDK GENT Dames again asked for the timeout
at 15-21. Team Baku continued with remarkable consistency and closed the set, 25-17.
METCALF Nancy Jean of Lokomotiv Baku and top weapon of VDK GENT Dames Vandesteene came into stride in the second set. Both players were quite active on their respective sides. Jean directed her shots in the rare gaps and the ball perfectly landed on Belgian
half. Vandesteene also hit accurate shots and scored points on tricky bump passes.
However, Baku led the scores at first technical timeout (13-9). Dames tried to shorten the gap of points and managed to close the difference to two points at the next technical timeout (16-18). However, Baku was all shaped up to win the second set and finally
hit the mark at 25-22.
The loss of two sets in row put a big question mark on Belgium’s return in the game. They remained in the cold waters, while the hosts managed to claim third set and settled for match victory. On the whole, Lokomotiv pulled off success in both semi-final
matches and advanced to the final match of 2012 CEV Women’s Challenge Cup.
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