[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’VakifBank edges Japan in PH-hosted FIVB opener ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – VakifBank Istanbul leaned on the exploits of Chinese Zhu Ting as it defeated the Hisamitsu Springs Kobe, 25-25, 25-15, 29-31, 15-18 at the start of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Zhu, the Most Valuable Player of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, tallied a record-setting performance of nine blocks, to go along with 17 attacks and two aces for 28 points, to lead the Turkish team to its first win in the prestigious volleyball tournament.
Zhu’s nine block performance on the defensive end surpassed the previous record of eight blocks by Adenizia of Sollys Nestle of Osasco against Foppapdretti Bergamo in 2010.
On the same note, VakifBank Istanbul’s 27 total rejections in the match erased the previous record of 25 blocks tallied by Sollys Nestle of Osasco against Chang Bangkok in 2011.
“You always have to be at your best whenever you’re facing a team like Japan. This team is capable of mounting a comeback,” said VakifBank coach Giovanni Guidetti. “I’m impressed with the 27 blocks we did. I like the energy my players put in the court.”
Aside from Zhu, Lonneke Sloetjes and Kim Him finished with 18 and 17 points respectively for VakifBank, which is looking to knock the crown off the head of crosstown rival Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul.
Volero Zurich also had a strong start in the tournament as it clobbered Bangkok Glass, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23. Olesia Rykhliuk finished with 20 points on 16 kills and three aces for the Swiss team./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
