VNL: Poland pulls away in the third set to frustrate Brazil
Poland’s Wilfredo Leon Venero in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Poland hiked its winning streak to three in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) after defeating Brazil, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Friday.
After neck-and-neck affair in the first and second sets, the Polish pulled away in the third set to take the pivotal 2-1 lead.
“I think [third set] was won because of our approach in the game. We tried to be more focused on the reception but also to serve stronger than before, to make less mistakes and to hold many balls on defense,” Wilfredo Leon Venero said after finishing with 22 points.
“We made a pretty good set with the services and the spikes. When we did a good job on those two elements, that was it.”
With Poland leading by just a mere point in the penultimate frame, 20-19, Leon Venero successfully converted a kill which sparked a 4-1 rally that put the Polish at set point, 24-20.
Poland’s Bartosz Bednorz in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Poland’s Jakub Kochanowski left the door open for the Brazilians with a service error but a mistake of their own cost them the set after Lucas Saatkamp failed to convert a serve.
Poland made sure to start differently in the final frame with an early 9-4 advantage.
Brazil crept a little closer at 17-13 but an attack error by Felipe Roque gave Poland the momentum until the final buzzer.
Bartosz Bednorz tallied 11 points for Poland to take an 8-2 record.
Brazil, meanwhile, now holds a 7-4 card but not without the efforts of Alan and Ricardo Souza, who scored 17 and 14 markers, respectively.
