Six-time champions VakıfBank secured four wins out of four in the Zeren Group CEV Champions League Group A. The yellow and blacks defeated CSM Volei Alba BLAJ 3-0 at home. Chiaka Ogbogu, who scored 11 points, was named MVP of the game.
VakıfBank continues its unbeaten run in the Zeren Group CEV Champions League. The yellow and blacks defeated CSM Volei Alba BLAJ 3-0 in Istanbul, making it four wins out of four. Leading the charge for VakıfBank, Marina Markova tallied 15 points, while Tijana Boskovic (13), Helena Cazaute (12), and Chiaka Ogbogu (11) all posted double-digit scores in a dominant performance.
VakıfBank started the first set 6-2, never trailing in the score. After a 15-15 tie, the yellow and blacks went on a 7-1 run to take the score to 22-16. VakıfBank took the lead by winning the first set 25-19 in 22 minutes, with six players contributing to the score. VakıfBank dominated both defensively and offensively in the second set, winning it 25-13 to take a 2-0 lead. VakıfBank took the third and final set 25-20, concluding the match 3-0 in one hour and six minutes.
Perfect Record Against Romanian Sides Extended to 10 Matches
Since the CEV Champions League adopted its new format in 2000-2001, VakıfBank has now played 10 group stage matches against Romanian sides. The yellow and blacks won all of these matches.
Won for the 12th time in the last 13 matches of the group stage
VakıfBank, which continues its unbeaten run in the CEV Champions League, maintained its successful performance in the group stage. The yellow and blacks won 12 of the last 13 matches they played in the group stage. Also VakıfBank, secured its 176th victory overall in the new format of the CEV Champions League.
Giovanni Guidetti: “I’m happy with the way we played”
VakıfBank Head Coach Giovanni Guidetti said: “Alba Blaj is a very good, organized team with a great coach. We respect them a lot. We were lucky that their best player couldn't play today. I'm happy with the way we played because we were very focused, and the players performed quite well.”
Chiaka Ogbogu was named MVP
Chiaka Ogbogu, who scored 11 points and made 4 blocks for VakıfBank, was named the most valuable player of the match. Ogbogu said: “I want to congratulate my teammates for their performance this month. It has been very difficult; I think we played nine or ten matches in a single month. This is not easy, so I want to congratulate them for staying focused. We came here with the goal of winning three points and finishing the match 3-0. I am so happy, and being named MVP is an honor. What can I say? I just want to thank my teammates once again. Our reception was amazing today, which made it easy to play with the middle blockers. We worked hard and stayed locked in this week, and I think it really showed on the court today.”
VakıfBank will face Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in their next match in the Vodafone Sultanlar Ligi on Sunday, 18 January at 7 pm at the VakıfBank Spor Sarayı.
VENUE: VakıfBank Spor Sarayı
REFEREE: Laszlo Adler (Hungary) and Risto Strandson (Estonia)
VAKIFBANK: Helena Cazaute 12, Chiaka Ogbogu 11, Cansu Özbay 2, Marina Markova 15, Zehra Güneş 5, Tijana Boskovic 15, Aylin Sarıoğlu Acar (L)
CSM VOLEI ALBA BLAJ: Viktoria Ana Trcol 4, Evilania Martinez 7, Ariana Pirv 5, Jelena Delic 3, Charlotte Krenicky 2, Drussyla Costa 7, Diana-Teodora Veres (L), Ana Escamilla 9
SETS: 25-19, 25-13, 25-20
SET DURATIONS: 22’, 21’, 23’
)
