Liberec defeated by Pool leader Novara in CEV Champions League

The first set started in great advantage for Igor Gorgonzola NOVARA, with Karakurt immediately warming up and encouraging Hancock to serve her best balls. Rosamaria was left on the bench initially, but she was a protagonist from the second set.

The first minutes showed some matters in reception for Igor Gorgonzola, with the middle blockers of LIBEREC doing a great job in defense.

Sotovska equalized the score (2-2), but then the Italian team started to react, but unfortunately early in the match she got injured to her ankle after a block attempt.

A monster block by Karakurt and Washington swiped up the opponents (6-4), but then Novara took the lead of the match (9-5), a play by Bosetti caused a big rally and then Washington finished with a fast, reaching the double digit (10-5).

The first time-out was called by Dukla LIBEREC’S coach Galik. The game proceed in fashion for Igor, until Hancok revealed herself to be excellent as usual in setting a spike for Chirichella (19-9) and finally Vk Dukla LIBEREC reached the double digits (19-10). Cristina Chirichella denied the penultimate point to the opponents, and then the set closed 25-12

The second set was more balanced, with a video challenge in the first few minutes that was won by Igor. Lucia Imperiali made her debut in CEV Champions League, and at 12-11 Rosamaria entered the court substituting Karakurt.

The two teams were again head-to-head (17-16), anche Chirichella was powerfully blocked by the opponents. Rosamaria scored a crucial point (19-17), then an ace by Washington sealed another point for Novara.

Lavarini was forced to call the first time out at 21-20. But the, Igor Gorgonzola found the rythm again, and closed the match 25-23.

Also, the third set displayed a challenge at 5-1, and showed Karakurt and Rosamaria together on the court. Herbots brought her team at 16-8, and then Novara escaped the opponents (21-12). Two consecutives aces by Heborts were essential to bring the match to the conclusion, and after a challenge Karakurt obtained the point (24-12) and eventually closed the set.

Nikola Kvapilova (Dukla Liberec’s diagonal spiker) was the best scorer of the game. She performed outstanding in the 2nd set, when scored 7 points and led her team closed to the set victory.

Cristina Chirichella (Igor Gorgonzola Novara’s captain) was awarded MVP of the game. She was the best attacker of the game, with 73% of efficiency in attack.