The recent weekend in Poland`s PlusLiga proved that predictability is a rare commodity in elite volleyball. Fans were treated to an electrifying series of matches, with four out of six encounters extending to a thrilling fifth set. This wasn`t merely a testament to competitive balance, but rather a masterclass in pushing the limits, where every point felt like a battle for the very soul of the game. If you`re looking for straightforward sweeps, this weekend politely suggested you look elsewhere. For everyone else, it offered a captivating drama.
Champions Tested: Lublin Overcomes ZAKSA in a Blockbuster
Perhaps the most anticipated clash saw defending champions BOGDANKA LUK Lublin host perennial contenders ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle. In a match that was, by all accounts, a rollercoaster, Lublin emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-10) win. Opposite hitter Kewin Sasak was a force to be reckoned with, contributing 20 points with a formidable 62% attack efficiency and two crucial block kills. Bulgarian middle blocker Aleks Grozdanov put on a defensive clinic, tallying an astounding seven block kills and an ace, culminating in 16 points. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, however, deservedly went to setter Marcin Komenda, whose strategic distribution kept ZAKSA`s defense guessing. Even with Kamil Rychlicki of ZAKSA scoring a match-high 27 points, it wasn`t enough to prevent Lublin from claiming second place in the standings with a 2-0 record, leaving ZAKSA surprisingly in tenth.
Rookie Dreams: Chelm`s Historic First Win
The weekend also marked a significant milestone for InPost ChKS Chelm. The PlusLiga newcomers, in a display of sheer determination, celebrated their first-ever victory in the league, defeating Cuprum Stilon Gorzow Wielkopolski 3-2 (14-25, 25-22, 25-22, 8-25, 15-13). It was a win that undoubtedly sent ripples of joy through their home crowd at the MOSiR. Outside hitter Pawel Rusin led the charge with 14 points, but Canadian setter Jay Blankenau was recognized as the MVP for his masterful playmaking. Cuprum Stilon`s Brazilian opposite, Chizoba Neves, delivered an incredible 31 points, including three aces and three blocks, showcasing individual brilliance that almost swung the match. Chelm now sits seventh with a 1-1 record, a promising start for a fledgling team.
Further Five-Set Thrills Across the League
The drama continued unabated in other arenas:
- Asseco Resovia Rzeszow battled fiercely against Energa Trefl Gdansk, securing a 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13) home win. Opposite Karol Butryn was the hero for Resovia with 24 points, including four blocks and two aces, earning him the MVP title. Trefl`s Aliaksei Nasevich matched Butryn`s scoring prowess with 31 points, but it wasn`t enough to clinch the win. Resovia now holds fourth place, while Trefl is in sixth.
- In an unexpected turn, Indykpol AZS Olsztyn upset their hosts PGE GiEK SKRA Belchatow 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 18-16). Olsztyn demonstrated remarkable resilience, coming back from a set down twice. German outside hitter Moritz Karlitzek was instrumental, leading his team with 25 points, including two aces and two blocks, and earning the MVP nod. Olsztyn now occupies fifth place, leaving SKRA in ninth.
Decisive Sweeps: Efficiency Amidst the Chaos
While many indulged in extended volleyball marathons, two teams chose a more direct route to victory, demonstrating that efficiency can be just as thrilling:
- PGE Projekt Warsaw delivered a commanding performance, sweeping last season’s silver medalists, Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie, 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-19) in their season opener. German opposite Linus Weber was the undisputed MVP, spiking at an impressive 74% success rate and contributing 17 points. Projekt now proudly tops the standings with a perfect 2-0 record and not a single set dropped – a stark contrast to the five-set frenzy elsewhere.
- JSW Jastrzebski Wegiel Jastrzebie-Zdroj also secured a clean 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 33-31) sweep against Slepsk Malow Suwalki. The third set, however, was a nail-biting affair, stretching into overtime with an epic 33-31 scoreline. German middle blocker Anton Brehme was exceptional, with 14 points and an astonishing 92% attack success rate, rightly earning him the MVP award. Jastrzebski Wegiel now sits comfortably in third place.
Looking Ahead: More PlusLiga Excitement on the Horizon
This past weekend has set an incredibly high bar for the PlusLiga season. With such intense competition and unpredictable outcomes, fans can expect nothing less than continued exhilaration. The league schedule promises more thrilling encounters, ensuring that the passion for Polish volleyball remains burning brightly.
Upcoming PlusLiga Matches:
- October 28: Barkom Kazhany Lviv vs Steam Hemarpol Politechnika Czestochowa
- October 29: ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle vs Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie
- October 29: Cuprum Stilon Gorzow Wielkopolski vs PGE GiEK SKRA Belchatow
