Herbots Belgium’s Britt Herbots tries to keep the ball in play against Canada during their VNL match. PNVF photo

Poland survives short-handed Thailand

June 16, 2022 Theodore P. Jurado 382 views

POLAND displayed tremendous composure to beat shorthanded Thailand, 22-25, 27-29, 25-16, 25-16, 15-13, and earn its first Week 2 win in the Volleyball Nations League at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite losing eight players who were scratched Wednesday after placing under health and safety protocols, the Thais were still able to prevail the first two sets before the Polish people regrouped in the next three behind the superb playmaking of setter Joanna Wolosz.

“It feels great that we won the match. We know that they (Thais) are a really good team so we have to do our best,” said outside hitter Olivia Rozanski, who took the scoring mantle for Poland with 20 points, including two blocks, to go with 16 digs and six receptions.

“I’m really happy that we won and we showed that we too, are really a good team and we can fight until the end,” she added.

Wolosz was able to connect well with with her spikers that keyed the victory for the Polish people and used her height advantage with a team-high four blocks.

“She’s great,” said Rozanski on Wolosz, who plays in Italy’s A1 club league champion Imoco Volley Conegliano.

The victory was Poland’s fourth in six matches, matching Thailand’s win-loss record.

Later, Alexa Grey had 24 points, including the match-winner, and 10 digs, while Kiera Van Ryk contributed 22 points and 11 digs as Canada also logged its first victory in the Philippine leg following a 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22 conquest of Belgium.

Bouncing back from last Monday’s straight-set defeat to the Thais, the Canadians rose to 3-3 overall, while the Belgians suffered their fifth loss in six contests.

“I was really excited on what our team did today. I thought we did our gameplan and this a big win and big three points for us moving forward in the tournament and I’m just proud of the way we really battled today,” said Grey.

“I think all of us had a little bit of a better game. I felt more confident going into this game. We came out today wanted to win and we showed that today.

Martyna Czyrnianska and Weronika Szlagowska each scored 18 points, Kamila Witkowska had 15 points while Klaudia Alagierska also logged double-digit scoring for the European side with 13 points.

Chatchu-On Moksri had 26 points, including five blocks, 15 receptions and 11 digs, while Pimpichaya Kokram added 13 points and 12 digs before sitting out the last two sets due to injury for the Thais.

Jarasporn Bundasak and Ajcharaporn Kongyot scored nine points apiece.

Britt Herbots, who led Belgium in getting a lifeline in the third set, had 29 points, including four blocks, and seven digs, while captain Celine Van Gestel contributed 16 points and 11 digs.

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