CL: Allianz MTV claim first win in women’s Pool A

Luxembourg, December 19, 2018. Allianz MTV STUTTGART cruised to their first victory in Pool A of the 2019 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Women. In a second-leg fixture at home, the German side crushed France’s BEZIERS VB in just over an hour. After this match, both teams stand at a 1-1 win-loss record.

Allianz MTV STUTTGART (GER) vs. BEZIERS VB (FRA) 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)

Good rallies and spectacular defence with a slight advantage for the hosts characterised the first set. A lot of attacks via Sarah Wilhite and former BEZIERS player Krystal Rivers helped Allianz take the set at 25-16, shaped up by Deborah van Daelen who scored the last Point.
Close to 1,700 spectators enjoyed a second round of tough battle at the net. Both teams showed a great spirit in fighting for every ball. Again, the team from Stuttgart was slightly more successful in blocking and spiking on the way to another 25-16.
BEZIERS VB were struggling more and more in reception, while Allianz were making fewer mistakes in the third set to win it by 25-20.
Krystal Rivers and Sarah Wilhite topped the scorers’ chart with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Ioannis Athanasopoulos, head coach of Allianz MTV STUTTGART: "The girls did a very good job. We showed that we are the better team and we won clearly. Congratulations to my team!"

Krystal Rivers, opposite of Allianz MTV STUTTGART: "It is so much fun to play with this team. We were very focused and everything went according to plan. It was a very important victory."

Fabien Simondet, head coach of BEZIERS VB: "It was very difficult for us. We made too many unforced mistakes. Our reception was weak; and it is usually our strength. Maybe it is because of the different balls we are used to in our national championship. But this should not be considered as an excuse."

Janisa Johnson, outside hitter of BEZIERS VB: "We were struggling in blocking and defence. We were a little bit out of our game. We can do much better than this."

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