Poland: Skra defeat ZAKSA in PlusLiga classic to interfere in battle for regular season triumph

Third-placed PGE Skra Bełchatów beat the current leaders Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle in the recovery match of the 18th round of the 2021/22 Plusliga.
The smallest possible difference of 2 points was decisive for the victory of Skra in all 3 of the total of 4 sets they took in the PlusLiga classic.
The Kędzierzyn-Koźle side has been leading the charts since the beginning of the regular season but their overall victory in this phase of the competition is far from certain after the 2nd defeat in less than 2 weeks.
Not only that the vice-leader Jastrzębski Węgiel remained one point behind them, but now the 3rd-placed Skra are close as well, having just -2 in relation to ZAKSA.

The match ended in four sets (23:35, 27:29, 25:19, 25:27) and the guests, despite have lost the direct confrontation in attack (48% and 33% efficiency in attack vs. 54% and 41% efficiency in attack), and ended the game with the same number of points, were absolutely better in hot moments, taking advantange from a good evening from the service line (only 11 errors with 6 aces vs. 18 errors and 9 aces of ZAKSA).

In first set ZAKSA take a lead (6-2), Skra level the score (10-10) and, after another 14-11, they level the score again (15-15) and to take first advantage with a winning block from Ebadipour on Kaczmarek, which is worth 21-22. Close an ace from Sawicki on Semeniuk and Bieniek 23-25.
Secondo set for ZAKSA…at least until 23-19. Semeniuk granted the 23-21, then SKRA cencelet 3 set
points in a row with Kooy, an ace from Bieniek and an error from Kaczmarek anfter a long action: 24-24. Atanasijevic’s counterattack is worth the surpass (24-25), but Huber put down the 26-25 for ZAKSA. Skra save other 2 set points, surpass with Atanasijevic (27-28) and close with and ace from Kooy, which is worth the decisive 27-29.
In third set Skra play until 8-8, then suffered a break of 8-1 to surrender, even though they canceled 4 set points before the decisive 25-19.
Game reopened? Maybe. In fourth set ZAKSA seems to score the break valid to take the match at fifth set with a streak of 5 points in a row from 13-15 to 18-15. Then Atanasijevic signs the 18-17, Semeniuk granted 3 errors in attack in a row (8 in the match) from 20-18 to 20-21, and Skra is able to keep the advantage until match point, 23-24. ZAKSA saved two but, Ebadipour close at third attempt with a half point from the service line on Sliwka, and Kooy can close the game on 25-27.

Serbian Aleksandar Atanasijević led the Bełchatów club with 22 points and was named MVP of the match.

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🏐| PlusLiga 2021/22 | Recovery of Round 18

| March 15, 2022
• Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle – PGE Skra Bełchatów 1-3 (23:35, 27:29, 25:19, 25:27)
Top Scorers: Kaczmarek 27, Huber
16, Semeniuk 15, Smith 10, Sliwka 7; Atanasijevic 22, Kooy 18, Bieniek 9, Klos 8, Ebadipour 7.
MVP: Atanasijevic.

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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 55
Jastrzebski Wegiel 54
PG Skra Betchatów 53
Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 43
Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 38
Indykpol AS Olsztyn 35
Projekt Warszawa 35
GKS Katowice 31
Trefl Gdansk 25
Cuprum Lubin 24
LUK Lublin 24
Cerrad Enea Czarni Radom 20
Slepsk Malow Suwalki 19
Stal Nysa 12

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