Pfeifer KUUSAMO advance to #CEVChallengeCupW 16th Finals after dominant victory

Finland’s Pfeifer KUUSAMO have progressed to the 16th Finals of the #CEVChallengeCupW following a second 3-0 victory in as many matches with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European Cups rookies ŽOK Borac BANJA LUKA. In the next round, KUUSAMO will play Sm’ AESCH Pfeffingen of Switzerland. 

The return match started with a strong performance by the home team Pfeifer KUUSAMO giving them a massive 10-3 lead. Standout performances included Riley Wagoner’s two attack points, Nea Subotic’s ace, a block point from Megija Dambrehte, and Nelly Kinnunen’s counterattack. The lead grew to 20-10, before ŽOK Borac BANJA LUKA’s strong streak which closed the gap to 22-17. After intense competition, the set ended with a net fault at 25-21.

ŽOK Borac BANJA LUKA started the second set with great energy. After Sara Marković’s middle attack and an ace, the score was 5-2 in favour of the visitors. Dambrehte scored two attack points after which it was her turn to serve. After two consecutive aces and two points from Wagoner, the tide turned, with the home team leading the set 11-5. The set ended with an attack by Subotic, bringing the score to 25-15.

The third set began with a tie at 3-3 but from there the home team extended their lead to 8-3. The visiting team fought back and closed the gap to three points at 13-10. After that, the home team pulled away again, and the set ended 25-12 as the visitors’ middle attack went wide.

Top scorer Megija Dambrehte (Pfeifer KUUSAMO, 20 points) and Sara Garić (ŽOK Borac BANJA LUKA) were chosen as the MVPs of the match.