Allianz MTV Stuttgart Falls to SC Potsdam: Series Tied 1-1 in Volleyball Championship

Allianz MTV Stuttgart conceded the 1:1 series equalization in Potsdam. After a moderate start, the Swabians fought back again, but in the end they lost to the SCP with 1:3 (23:25, 22:25, 25:21, 25:27).

The race to catch up was not rewarded, the first two lost sets were ultimately too great a burden for Stuttgart’s volleyball players. Instead of the possible championship match ball on Wednesday in the SCHARRena, everything is now reset to zero. It’s 1:1 after two games played, just like last year. This time, however, the home teams won 3-1. According to the rule, “Stuttgart’s most beautiful sport” should then be back on Wednesday evening at 8:15 p.m. To do this, the Swabians have to correct the mistakes that ultimately cost them the game on Saturday.

Faruk Feray, back on the touchline, started with the same staff as Game One. And his team started the game a bit sleepy. Marie Schölzel set the first block to make it 4:5, but the Feray protégés only really arrived in the game after a strong Segura service series including two aces to 11:9. From this point on, the game went back and forth, as expected. Potsdam took the lead again and temporarily gained a three-point lead, but mistakes by the hosts gave Stuttgart the 18:18 equalizer. Then Potsdam took the lead again, Krystal Rivers almost single-handedly equalized. In the end, however, the SCP in the person of Hester Jasper had the last word in this first round.

The spectators in the sold-out MBS Arena in Potsdam also saw a balanced game in set two. At Allianz MTV, a lot went beyond the first tempo, but the guests from Stuttgart still didn’t really get into the game. Potsdam defended well and made fewer mistakes than the reigning German champions. Coach Hernandez’s team also secured the second round and let Allianz MTV fall behind 0:2.

But now the team around captain Maria Segura seemed to have really arrived in the game. Stuttgart now appeared more emotional and stable and gained an early 4-1 lead thanks to a Schölzel block. At 10:6, Krystal Rivers increased, then Stuttgart played the first tempo again and again, sometimes with a two-meter shot with Eline Timmerman, sometimes with a one-leg over Marie Schölzel. Timmerman then blocked to make it 18:13, and shortly afterwards Potsdam even called a time-out. Stuttgart brought the hosts back into sight, but in the end a faulty Emonts attack made the connection.

Section four began with a very long rally, at the end of which Krystal Rivers marked the 1-0. The American was also solely responsible for the first five Stuttgart points (including two blocks) before Eline Timmerman made it 6: 3 with a block. After that, Stuttgart acted stable, played more aggressively and also radiated the necessary cleverness. At 19:13 it looked like a tie-break, but incomprehensibly the Feray team broke again. At 22:22 Potsdam managed to equalize, then two set balls were not enough for Stuttgart. In the end, Laura Emonts caused jubilation in the MBS Arena and disillusionment in the Stuttgart camp.

The motto now is to check things off quickly, game three in the SCHARRena is already waiting on Wednesday. It starts at 8:15 p.m. If you can’t make it into the hall, you can switch on Sport1 and cheer on the team from home.

The remaining tickets are available from Sunday morning at www.allianz-mtv-tickets.de as well as on Monday evening when the guest contingent from SC Potsdam is not completely exhausted.