SC Potsdam’s volleyball players have their backs to the wall in the play-off final for the German championship. At the defending champions MTV Stuttgart, the Brandenburg women conceded a clear 0:3 (18:25, 16:25, 14:25) defeat after a rather one-sided game. They are now 1:2 behind in the best of five final series. The women from Stuttgart can already crown themselves champions with another success in Potsdam on Saturday.
In front of 2250 spectators in the sold-out Stuttgart Arena, the Potsdam women lost their line in the first round after an ace by Maja Savic to lead 8:6. 5:1 points in a row put the opponent on course to win the set. A carelessly devious attacking ball from Anett Nemeth made it 17:14 for Stuttgart, which Maria Segura followed with 18:14 and thus the preliminary decision.
The penetrating power is missing
The hostesses maintained their momentum. Despite some good defenses from Aleksandra Jegdic, SC Potsdam couldn’t find any suitable means to contain Krystal Rivers’ attacking momentum on the other side. The American already had 13 points in her account after the first two sets.
On the visitors’ side, neither Laura Emonts nor Anett Nemeth nor Hester Jasper developed the penetrating power that would have been necessary to embarrass the self-confidently triumphant opponent in the long term. SCP trainer Guillermo Naranjo Hernandez also hoped in vain that his team would rise in the third set. Stuttgart remained dominant, pulled away 11:4 to 22:11 in the final section and thus clearly showed the opponent the limits. (dpa)
