The Russian SuperLeague’s quarterfinal round has concluded with three teams advancing – Yenisei, Uralochka-NTMK and Dynamo Kazan.
In the first match up between Dynamo and Yenisei, the match lasted four sets with Yenisei taking the win 3-1, (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 26-24). Dynamo started off the match strong with a 4-1 lead in the first set, but Yenisei hopped back into the set to tie it at 15 all. A back and forth battle commenced, with the score eventually ending up in a late set tie at 23-23. Dynamo crushed two straight balls to end the first 25-23.
The second set started much like the first ended, with back and forth battles in the score, with multiple ties. Yenisei took and kept a lead after 8-8 in the second, but Dynamo was able to catch back up with the score tied at 22-22 late. Yenisei kills and a few Dynamo errors led to a second set score of 26-24 Yenisei. The third started with Dynamo taking a 2-0 lead, but another hard-fought battle kept the scores close the entire third set. A string of Dynamo errors late in the set resulted in Yenisei taking a 2-1 lead in the match. The fourth set kept Dynamo playing catch-up, staying just behind Yenisei. The set was close throughout, however Yenisei was able to pull through to take the match with a fourth set score of 26-24.
The second set was less of a close match up, but a comeback tale for Uralochka-NTMK who took down District-Odintsovo 3-1, (25-27, 25-16, 25-15, 25-18). Uralochka took a quick lead in the match, jumping to 13-6 over District; however, a number of errors by Uralochka brought District back into the match. District went on to take the first in a tight 27-25 victory.
The next three sets went by the way of Uralochka, where District couldn’t make anything happen on their side. The lack of offense for District cost them the match 3-1, downed by Uralochka.
The final match of the quarterfinals was an easy three set sweep for Dynamo Kazan over Proton 3-0, (25-14, 25-26, 25-18). Proton could not generate any offense on their side of the court, unable to keep up with the dominate Dynamo-Kazan who quickly took the match away from Proton in three sets.
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