Volleyball

Estonia overpower Luxembourg to earn first win in Silver #EuroLeagueW

Recap

Article Sun, May 29 2022
Author: Martyna Szydłowska

The clash between Luxembourg and Estonia at d'Coque "Gymnase" in Luxembourg completed Leg 2 in the CEV Volleyball European Silver League 2022 - Women on Sunday. Both teams suffered defeats in the previous leg, so they entered the court fully motivated. However, with solid block and great performance from the service line, Estonia proved better to earn an important straight-set victory. Kertu Laak was a key player and the leader of the visiting team. The action in Silver League will be continued on Wednesday, 1st June, with two encounters.

Estonia, under the guidance of the coach Alessandro Orefice, opened the match slightly better, taking an early lead, but Luxembourg was not staying behind, taking advantage of Estonia's problems in receptions. Thus, the game was continued on point-by-point basis until 15-15. Then, the visiting team with Nette Peit on the service line scored six consecutive points to quickly close the set after Kertu Laak's spike (she tallied five points in the opener).

The second part turned into a real rollercoaster. The hosts took a 7-3 lead, but Estonia kept on pushing to eventually equal the score at 11-11. The game was a battle over the net between top scorers of both sides - Kertu Laak and Carla Mulli, who hammered seven and six points, respectively. But like in the opener, Estonia caught the win under their wings scoring five points in a row, but this time Luxembourg fought back harder, reducing the gap to two points. Coach Orefice called the time-out that helped his team to regain control and confidently win the set.

From the beginning of the third set, it was visible that Estonia set a straight-set win as their goal. Playing fully focused, they dominated on the court, reaching significant advantage at 17-10 and improving it further to eleven points at 24-13. The hosts managed to save three match points, including two aces from Emma Van Elslande, but the fourth chance was not wasted and Kritsiine Milen's kill sealed Estonia's first win.

After losing against Portugal in tie-break on Wednesday, Estonia recorded their first win in this campaign over Luxembourg

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