MINSK, 13 May (BelTA) – Belarus outclassed Switzerland 3-1 in the 2021 CEV EuroVolley Women qualifying match at Chizhovka Arena in Minsk on 12 May, BelTA has learned.
Dzianis Matveyeu's team managed to impose a favorable rhythm on the rivals in the first set, achieving a comfortable goal advantage and keeping it till the end of the set. The Belarusians were better in their serves and were more confident on the receiving end than the Swiss. Their shot block was quite efficient as well. Nadezhda Smirnova's five points helped the team take the lead.
After the break Belarus kept on doing the same and the Swiss tried to improve the situation on the floor. The advantage remained in the hands of the Belarusian players.
Switzerland seemed to find their play in the third set, but Belarus were able to come back and even take the lead at 12 -11 in their favor. However, the Swiss players were doing a real show on the net, and with six kill blocks in this set, emerged victorious out of it, tying the set-score.
In the fourth set, however, everything was back to normal, and the Belarusians celebrated the second victory in qualification. Nadezhda Stolyar with 14 points and Anna Klimets with 13 points were the best scorers on Belarus' side. Nadezhda Smirnova scored 12 and Tatiana Markevich, the captain of the Belarusian team, 11 points.
Maja Storck became the top scorer of the match, recording 22 points to her name, while Korina Perkovac scored 16.
The Pool A standings are as follows: Belarus – 6 points (2 matches played), Switzerland – 2 (2), Estonia – 2 (1).
The second leg of the 2021 CEV EuroVolley Women qualifiers in Pool A is due in Minsk on 13-15 May.
