Eczacibasi close in on VakifBank in Turkish league

Lausanne, Switzerland, November 13, 2016 - After stumbling in their opening games of the domestic season, reigning FIVB club world champions Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul are back on track in the Turkish women's league, close on the heels of table leaders VakifBank Istanbul and Bursa Buyuksehir.

Neither Korea's Kim Yeon-Koung nor Brazil's Natalia Pereira, who scored 20 points each for Fenerbahce Istanbul could prevent Eczacibasi's win midweek 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22). Serbia's Tijana Boskovic, MVP of the recent FIVB Club World Championship in Manila, was on hand to counter Kim and Natalia, scoring 21 points in addition to the 15 by Russia's Tatiana Kosheleva and 10 by USA's Jordan Larson.

Eczacibasi followed up with a 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-9) win over Cannakale. With Boskivic on the bench for the last two sets, it was Kosheleva who topscored over the weekend with 22 points.




Their arch rivals VakifBank, meanwhile, bronze medallists in Manila, remained undefeated and at the top of the standings after four matches, following their 3-1 (24-26, 8-25, 22-25, 11-25) win over Sariyer.

Pomi thunder on in Italy
Reigning European champions and FIVB World Championship silver medallists Pomi Casalmaggiore remain the only undefeated team in Italy's A1 League, after a thrilling win at home over Imoco Volley Conegliano. It took 31 points from Croatia's Samanta Fabris, eight blocks by USA's Lauren Gibbemeyer and a thrilling finale in the fourth for Pomi to get the 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 17-25, 30-28) home win.



No one unbeatable in Russia

In Russia, Dinamo Kazan continue to lead the race despite their latest defeat over the weekend in Krasnodar 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-17, 18-25, 15-13). Kazan held their fate in their own hands when they led 6-13 in the tie-break, but allowed Krasnodar to rally back with nine straight points to take the match.



Nataliya Malykh's 25 points and superiority at the net in blocking and attacking were key to Dinamo Krasnodar's win, which leaves no team undefeated in the women's Superleague after six rounds of play.

Rexona-Sesc Rio on track in Brazil
And in Brazil, defending champions and reigning South American champions Rexona-Sesc Rio de Janeiro registered their third win in as many games in the women's Superleague. With an excellent performance by libero Fabi Oliveira, who was named the game's MVP, and 17 points from top scorer Juciely Barreto, the Rio side dominated Genter Volei Bauru 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-17).

They remain undefeated as do Volei Nestle of Osasco, who also won away, 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-15) at Sesi Sao Paulo, with Tandara Caixeta top scoring at 13 points and Serbia's silver medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Tijana Malasevic picking up the MVP award.

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