Hande Baladin of Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul overcomes the challenge put up by PSL - F2 Logistics Manila blockers Mika Reyes and Kim Fajardo.
Manila, Philippines, October 21, 2016 - Eczacibasi VitrA barged into the semifinals with a neat 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 25-14) victory over PSL-F2 Logistics Manila for a clean sweep of Group A in the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena - but for the hosts and their enthusiastic home supporters it is all about that thrilling third set - PSL's first in the competition.
The defending champions did not hold their punches against the local club, which for one full set in the second went on without any foreign players.
Eczacibasi coach Massimo Barbolini in turn fielded an all-Turkish squad, which thrilled the crowd and still managed to take the set.
With its main stars Tijana Boskovic, Jordan Larson-Burbach and Rachael Adams on the bench, Eczacibasi eventually yielded the third set on PSL-F2's Stephanie Niemer's back-row hit to end an amazing rally that seemed to last an eternity.
Eczacibasi led in attacks, 55-35, to take control of the match despite committing more errors (22 to 18). The Turkish club also had more aces - 14 to 9 - with Neslihan Demir and Gozde Yilmaz serving five each, a historical high for the competition.
The win completed the semis cast with Eczacibasi facing Vakifbank in the Istanbul derby and Volero Zurich battling Pomi Casalmaggiore.
Quick links:-
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Website-
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Results & Schedule-
FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship Manila 2016 - Teams