VakıfBank defeated Eczacıbaşı Dynavit 3-1 in the first match of the Vodafone Sultans League play-off semi-final. Kiera Van Ryk stood out with 30 points and Marina Markova with 25 points for the yellow-blacks. If VakıfBank wins the second match to be played at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı on Saturday, April 12, it will advance to the final.
VakıfBank took the lead in the Vodafone Sultans League play-off semi-final series by beating Eczacıbaşı Dynavit. The yellow-blacks won the away match 3-1. Kiera Van Ryk was the highest scorer on the field with 30 points, while Marina Markova scored 25 points for VakıfBank. VakıfBank will advance to the finals if it wins the second match to be played on Saturday, April 12 at VakıfBank Spor Sarayı.
VakıfBank increased the difference to 5 points at 11-6 in the first set, where it never fell behind in score. The yellow-blacks won the set 25-19 in 25 minutes, where Kiera Van Ryk stood out with 10 points, and took the lead in the match. The second set went to Eczacıbaşı with 25-23. VakıfBank started the third set with a 4-0 series, and after the 13-13 tie, it brought the score to 20-14 with a 7-1 series. The yellow-blacks, who continued their superiority in the rest of the set, won it 25-19, making the overall score 2-1. VakıfBank won the fourth and final set 25-21, and left the match with a 3-1 victory.
Giovanni Guidetti: “We remained strong in long rallies and difficult moments”
VakıfBank Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti spoke as follows after the match: “It was a really tough match and very stressful. There were ups and downs for both teams. However, I am very happy that we were able to remain strong in long rallies and difficult moments today. We are now in the play-offs; you have to give everything to win a match and nothing is given away as a gift. We need to analyze the mistakes we made today well and get back to our own rhythm, our own standards and prepare for a big battle. Because our opponent will definitely come to the next match very motivated.”
Kiera Van Ryk: “I am proud of our team”
Kiera Van Ryk, who was the top scorer of the match with 30 points, said: “We were disappointed in the Cup Voley. We had to start over and get back to our own game. I think we did that well. We had periods where different players took control of the game and carried the team. I think that really showed who we are as a team. We are not just one player. We are a whole team that does what we need. So, I am proud of our team.”
ECZACIBASI DYNAVIT – VAKIFBANK: 1-3
VENUE: IBB Cebeci Sports Hall
REFEREES: Erol Akbulut, Ibrahim Acar
ECZACIBASI DYNAVIT: Naz Aydemir Akyol 2, Yaprak Erkek 9, Sinead Jack-Kısal 6, Tijana Boskovic 21, Kathryn Plummer 3, Jovana Stevanovic 6, Simge Aköz (L), Beyza Arıcı 1, Hande Baladin 3, Alexa Gray 14, Elif Şahin 1,
VAKIFBANK: Deniz Uyanık 6, Cansu Özbay 2, Marina Markova 25, Zehra Güneş 5, Kiera Van Ryk 30, Ayça Aykaç Altıntaş (L), Yuan Xinyue 3, Derya Cebecioğlu 6,
SETS: 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 21-25
SET DURATIONS: 25’, 34’, 32’, 34’
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