VakifBank Istanbul vs Hisamitsu Springs Kobe. INQUIRER PHOTO/Sherwin Vardeleon
VakifBank Istanbul immediately went to business and blocked off Hisamitsu Springs Kobe in four sets, 25-15, 25-15, 29-31, 25-18, to ope the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Olympic gold medallist Zhu Ting led the 2013 World Champions to victory with 28 points, her final one coming off an off speed kill that ultimately ended the match.
VakifBank head coach Giovanni Guidetti said he could not find a bad aspect with how his team played and the 27 blocks they recorded surprised him even more.
“We did a pretty good job and the distribution was pretty good, I cannot find a part of the game that was not good today,” said Guidetti.
“I think it’s the first time in my life I had seen 27 blocks, not even in five sets I never saw this number and I’m happy for that.”
It wasn’t only in defense that VakifBank hurt Hisamitsu Springs, the team also fired in all cylinders with five players finishing in double digits in scoring.
Lonneke Slöetjes and Kimberly Hill had 18 and 17 points, respectively while Milena Rasic and Kubra Akman combined for 24 points.
Miyu Nagaoka led Hisamitsu Springs with 18 points while Nana Iwasaka added 16.