INQUIRER PHOTO/Sherwin Vardeleon
After winning all three of its group stage matches, Volero Zürich became the victims of an Italian shocker when the 2015 bronze medalists succumbed to tournament first-timers Pomi Casalmaggiore in four sets.
With its confidence rattled, the Swiss champions suffered another brutal loss to eventual 2016 third placers VakifBank Istanbul, 25-14, 21,25, 25-22, 25-11, in the bronze medal match of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Volero head coach Zoran Terzic said they failed to shake off the frustration of losing in the semifinals against Pomi and it carried over in their match against the Turkish champions, a team they beat in the group stages.
“Maybe today we played a little bit better than yesterday, but we played without energy, I can’t say motivation, but it wasn’t the same in the first three, four games,” said Terzic. “We need to work a lot, especially on the psychological side, I think Volero has the potential to take medals in big competitions.”
“Yesterday, definitely was a big shock for us, and we have not yet recovered for today’s game.”
Terzic, though, also congratulated VakifBank for its medal haul.
“I would like to congratulate VakifBank, they deserved to win.”
Wing spiker Mariana Costa said her team struggled against the blocking of VakifBank and when it failed the Turkish club’s floor defense was there to recover.
“We knew we would face a strong team, and we witnessed that most when they had a good reception,” said Costa. “We really struggled with the blocking of VakifBank.”
VakifBank scored 19 on blocks while Volero managed just two./rga