Halkbank and Arkas Spor closed Round 12 of the 2021/22 AXA Sigorta Efeler Ligi with a really amazing match.
After nearly two and a half hours, Halkbank prevailed, but only after bouncing from 0-2 in sets.
Arkas missed thus really a huge opportunity to break their rival’s invincibility which spreads throughout the entire season. Namely, Halkbank notched 19 wins in as many games they played in 2021/22 counting all competitions, having 12 out of 12 in the national league. Aside from losing a two-set lead, the İzmir side wasted a 10-7 lead in the decisive fifth set.
With 26 points (50% in attack and 35% efficiency, and 2 aces) Cuban Fernando Hernández led Halkbank to the victory, winning the duel against the same role Gabriel Candido (27 points, but only 38% and 18% efficiency in attack, 5 blocks and 1 ace), while Volkan Döne made 74% reception (19 digs, 32% perfect). The Ankara club, the leader in the standings, regained the three-point advantage over the second-placed Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta and third-placed Ziraat Bankkart (33-30).
Among the guests, still on the bench Efe Mandiraci, entered in serving only in fifth set, replaced by Mirza Lagumdzija.
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🏐| AXA Sigorta Efeler Ligi 2021/22 – Round 12
| December 9, 2021
• Bingol Solhan Spor – Ziraat Bankkart Ankara 0-3 (23:25, 21:25, 16:25)
| December 12
• Allpower Aku Cizre Bld. – Sorgun Bld. 1-3 (23:25, 25:22, 13:25, 21:25)
• Avsar Maden Suyu Afyon Bld. Yuntas
Yeni Kiziltepe Spor 0-3 (20:25, 19:25, 17:25)
• Fenerbahce HDI Sigorta Istanbul – Spor Toto Ankara 3-0 (25:18, 25:18, 25:19)
• Altekma Izmir – Galatasaray HDI Sigorta Istanbul 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:17)
• Tokat Bld. Plevne – Bursa B.Sehir Bld. 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:19)
👉🏼 December 13
• Halkbank Ankara – Arkas Spor Izmir 3-2 (21:25, 23:25, 25:16, 25:20, 18:16)
Top Scorers: Fernando Hernandez 26, Nicolas Bruno 15, Vigrass 10, Karasu 7, Gulmezoglu 6, Bayram 5; Gabriel Candido 27, Hoag 18, Lagumdzija 12, McDonnell 11, Cengiz 8.
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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
Halkbank Ankara 33
Ziraat Bankkart Ankara 30
Fenerbahce HDI Sigorta Istanbul 30
Galatasaray HDI Sigorta Istanbul 24
Arkas Spor Izmir 22
Spor Toto Ankara 20
Yeni Kiziltepe Spor 15
Allpower Aku Cizre Bld. 14
Bursa B.Sehir Bld. 14
Altekma Izmir 13
Sorgun Bld. 13
Tokat Bld. Plevne 11
Bingol Solhan Spor 7
Avsar Maden Suyu Afyon Bld. Yuntas 6
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