Poland: Olsztyn opens Round 2 of new 2026/27 Tauron Liga with a straight sets win over Częstochowa

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Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn celebrated their return to Hala Urania in style, defeating NEONET Norwid Częstochowa 3-0 (25:18, 25:23, 25:18) on Tuesday, October 20, in the opening fixture of the second round of the 2026/27 TAURON Liga season. Arthur Szwarc was named MVP after a decisive performance for the home side.

Both teams arrived in Olsztyn with something to prove. Daniel Pliński’s team were looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat against PGE Projekt Warszawa, while Luke Reynolds’ Częstochowa side had made an impressive start to the campaign by recovering from two sets down to beat Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 3-2. This time, however, the visitors could not reproduce that comeback.
Olsztyn established control early in the opening set, building a 7-3 advantage that prompted Reynolds to call a timeout. The hosts continued to dictate the pace, although Norwid briefly threatened to close the gap after Jakub Kiedos scored an ace to make it 13-16. The home side responded at the net and from the service line, with Karol Urbanowicz helping to extend the lead late in the set. Olsztyn closed it out 25-18.
The second set proved considerably more dramatic. Norwid started strongly and moved ahead 8-3, putting the hosts under pressure. Szwarc initially struggled against the visitors’ block, but Olsztyn gradually found solutions and began to turn the momentum around.
The decisive phase brought the home side back into contention. A block from Paweł Cieślik helped reduce the deficit, while Paweł Halaba’s successful counterattack brought Olsztyn within a point at 14-15. With the set hanging in the balance, the hosts maintained their composure and continued to apply pressure at the net. Urbanowicz eventually produced the decisive block against substitute outside hitter Isaac Heslinga, securing a 25-23 win and a crucial two-set lead.
Having escaped the visitors’ challenge in the second set, Olsztyn looked determined to finish the job without further complications. Halaba helped the hosts establish an 8-4 advantage, while Moritz Karlitzek added pressure from the service line. An ace from the German outside hitter extended the margin to 14-7, leaving Norwid struggling to find a way back.
Reynolds attempted to change the course of the set through substitutions and tactical adjustments, but Olsztyn remained in control. The hosts managed their advantage effectively and completed the sweep with another 25-18 victory, earning their first three points of the season.

Arthur Szwarc, the Canadian opposite, received the MVP award after playing a central role in the home team’s response, particularly during the crucial second set, recording 18 points to his name through 54% in attack and 5 of the winners’ 10 winning blocks.
The victory was also built on Olsztyn’s effectiveness at the net and the contributions of Halaba, Karlitzek and Urbanowicz at key moments.
Olsztyn can now look ahead with renewed confidence after securing their first win of the campaign in front of their home supporters. Norwid, meanwhile, will seek an immediate response in their next fixture against Ślepsk Malow Suwałki.

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🏐| 2026/27 Tauron Liga | Kolejka 2 – Round 2

👉🏼Tuesday October 20, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn – NEONET Norwid Częstochowa 3-0 (25:18, 25:23, 25:18)

Wednesday October 21, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | BOGDANKA LUK Lublin – Energa Trefl Gdańsk 3-0 (25:22, 25:22, 25:21)
• 21.30 (Local Time) | Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie – ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle 3-1 (25:17, 25:22, 22:25, 32:30)

Friday October 23, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Ślepsk Malow Suwałki – GKS Katowice 2-3 (22:25, 25:16, 23:25, 25:22, 11:15)
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Stilon Gorzów – Jastrzębie Barkom 0-3 (17:25, 22:25, 21:25)

Saturday October 24, 2026
• 18.00 (Local Time) | PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów – PGE Projekt Warszawa 3-2 (25:17, 25:22, 15:25, 23:25, 15:12)

Sunday October 25, 2026
• 18.00 (Local Time) | Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm – Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 0-3 (19:25, 17:25, 13:25)

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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. GKS Katowice 3
2. BOGDANKA LUK Lublin 3
3. PGE Projekt Warszawa 3
4. PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów 3
5. Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn 3
6. Stilon Gorzów 2
7. Jastrzębie Barkom 2
8. NEONET Norwid Częstochowa 2
9. Asseco Resovia Rzeszów 1
10. Ślepsk Malow Suwałki 1
11. Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm 1
12. Energa Trefl Gdańsk 0
13. ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle 0
14. Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 0

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🏐| NEXT GAMES | Kolejka 3 – Round 3

Thursday October 29, 2026
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Energa Indykpol AZS Olsztyn – ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Asseco Resovia Rzeszów – Energa Trefl Gdańsk

Friday October 30, 2026
• 20.30 (Local Time) | Ślepsk Malow Suwałki – NEONET Norwid Częstochowa

Friday October 31, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | BOGDANKA LUK Lublin – GKS Katowice
• TBD (Local Time) | PGE GiEK SKRA Bełchatów – Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie
• TBD (Local Time) | Stilon Gorzów – PGE Projekt Warszawa

Saturday November 1, 2026
• TBD (Local Time) | Jastrzębie Barkom – Podziemia Kredowe ChKS Chełm

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