VakifBank started the Champions League with a victory
VakifBank Women's Volleyball Team, CEV Champions League champion of the last two seasons, defeated the team Stuttgart in 2018-2019 CEV Champions League 3-1.
The top scorers of the VakifBank were Lonneke Slöetjes (23), Zhu Ting (20) and Kelsey Robinson (16). USA player Kelsey Robinson of VakıfBank was named MVP of the match.
VakifBank Women's Volleyball Team will meet with the representative of Bulgaria Maritza Plovdiv in the second match of CEV Champions League Group A on Thursday, December 20 at 19:00 p.m. at Kolodruma Sports Hall.
MATCH STATISTICS
VAKIFBANK-STUTTGART: 3-1HALL: VakifBank Spor Sarayi
REFEREES: Vlastimil Kovar (Russia), Eidar Zulfugarov (Azerbaijan)
VAKIFBANK: Zehra 8, Cansu 4, Zhu 20, Milena 6, Lonneke 23, Kelsey 16, Gizem (L), Melis, Ebrar, Buket
STUTTGART: Poll 4, Tapp 8, Rivers 14, Wilhite 9, McCage 7, Bugg, Koskelo (L), Sandor, Kastner 1, Van Daelen 6, Schaefer 1, Tomazela
SETS: 25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 25-17
TIME SETS: 98 minute (22', 28', 25', 23')
VAKIFBANK STATISTICS
First Six: Zehra Güneş, Cansu Özbay, Zhu Ting, Milena Rasic, Lonneke Slöetjes, Kelsey Robinson, Gizem Örge (L)
Top Scorer: Lonneke Slöetjes (23)
VakıfBank Total Blocks: 11
Top Blocker: Kelsey Robinson, Zehra Güneş (3)
VakifBank's Ace Points: 8
REMARKS
Giovanni Guidetti: Our opponent was pretty good tonight. The match was difficult as I was expected. Stuttgart played very good. Our team has to learn also even if they are not in perfect condition. Some players came back from Japan and in the same we are preparing to FIVB CWC. We made heavy fitness two days ago. This is what we have to expect sometime not be really fresh, really perfect. But it’s our job to manage the match even we are not fresh and perfect.
Cansu Özbay: It is a great feeling to be in the Champions League once again and we started with a win which is even better. We are getting ready for the FIVB Club World Championship. I hope we will be totally ready for it. I can say that our opponent was very strong and they did amazing defence tonight. We fought and we won. I am very happy.
Kelsey Robinson: I am really proud of my teammates. Stuttgart played really good defence. For us to stay in it for the long rally it was really impressive. Every match in CL will be tough. I am excited to be in it and to get to play.
