Netherlands Overcomes 2-0 Set Hole for 5-Set Win vs Dominican Republic

2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX – POOL F1

• Group 1
• July 14-16, 2017
• FIVB World Grand Prix, Week 2
• Kaliningrad, Russia
• Pool F1
• Schedule/Results

In the first match of the day for Pool F1, the Dominican Republic pulled ahead for a 2-0 set lead over the Dutch side in a win that would have shaken up the standings. But Netherlands was able to come back from a deficit in the third and win the final three sets of the match for a comeback five-set victory. On a positive note for the Dominican Republic, they earned a point out of the loss.

Russia dominated in the second match of the day as they buried Belgium in three sets. The result keeps Belgium without a win, while Russia improves to 2-0 in the pool, a nice response to an 0-3 opening week as they are now looking to push toward the final six.

Pool F1 Standings After Day 2:

NETHERLANDS DEF. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-8)

Netherlands overcame a two-set deficit for a comeback victory over the Dominican Republic behind a strong serve and powerful attack. Although the Caribbean nation had more blocks (9-7) and three less errors, the Dutch side had more kills (71-64) and aces (9-4) in the match.

Four different Dominican Republic players totaled double-digit points, with Brayelin Elizabeth Martinez leading the charge (24 points) and helping extend a 2-0 set lead. Dominican Republic even pulled ahead early in set three, but the Netherlands took a stand and came back on the shoulders of Anne Buijs (31 points). She recorded 28 kills on 53 swings in the match.

After retracting in the third set, Netherlands held steady in the fourth and pulled away for their largest set win in the fifth. The win gives them a 2-0 start to Pool F1 and puts them in second place of the overall Group 1 table. They finish up with Russia tomorrow, with a win giving them a pool victory for the second consecutive week.

For the Dominican Republic, they drop to 0-2 in the pool and fall to below .500 after a 2-1 opening week. They’re still just one win behind the teams immediately ahead of them in the final six discussion, so a win tomorrow against Belgium (the last place team in Group 1) would do wonders for the Caribbean side.

RUSSIA DEF. BELGIUM 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-22)

To start the second week, neither team had a win. While Belgium continued the trend, Russia has taken their first two after a sweep of Belgium today.

The first set was tight as Britt Herbots (16 points) and Kaja Grobelna (13 points) came up big for Belgium. Russia though eventually ended with the final two-point lead. From there, it was all Russia. They dominated the second set and won a tight third set for the three-set sweep.

It was a balanced match for Russia, who out-blocked (10-8), out-aced (9-5) and out-dug (21-19) Belgium. They also featured a steady attack that had 10 more spikes than Belgium and consisted of six players with seven or more points, led by Irina Voronkova (14 points).

After going 0-3 in week one with the trio of losses coming after 2-1 set leads, Russia has bounced back nicely in the second week to push for a 2-3 overall mark. With the points they earned from the five-set losses and the six points this week, they are the top 2-3 team with nine points (a number that would actually put them in fourth based on just points). Russia now faces Netherlands in the pool finale. It will be a de facto Pool F1 championship match, as the winner will end the week 3-0.

With the loss, Belgium remains in the cellar of the overall Group 1 standings, as well as the pool. They’re 0-5 overall and have yet to pick up a point as things are looking bleek in terms of avoiding relegation. Belgium will try and attain their first win the tournament tomorrow when they take on Dominican Republic.