The Toggenburgers got off to a really cold start. The home team quickly found itself behind 8:19 in the well-filled Rietsteinhalle. The first set was actually over before the Wattwil women really got into the game. The home team was able to reduce the deficit again with a nice series of services, but the burden at the start of the game was simply too big. The first set was a win for the Glarus team at 18:25.
With the set lead in their pocket, VBC Glaronia acted a bit carelessly in the second set and was subsequently downright disheveled by the increasingly stronger home team. Captain Susu Suriano kicked off a thrilling game with a strong service series. The home team quickly gained a 10-point lead, which the Wattwil team confidently defended until the end of the set. Volley Toggenburg grabbed the second set at 25:15.
The Rietsteinhalle is cooking
After the set was equalized, a real exchange of blows developed between two equally strong teams. With slight advantages for the home team, mind you. Above all, the Wattwil women impressed with impressive points on offense, with passeuse Luana Petris and diagonal attacker Kortlyn Henderson particularly excelling. But the Glarus team also contributed to the lively game with their top scorer. Volley Toggenburg was 2 points ahead before Glaronia took the lead again by 2 points. Cheered on by the frenetic audience and with the knowledge of their own advantages, the Wattwil women gained a slight advantage and made it 19:16. But the Glarus team stubbornly fought back against losing the set, benefited from two or three lapses in concentration from the Toggenburg team in the “money time” at the end of the set and turned the set in their favor by winning five points in a row (23:25).
The fourth set was also fought doggedly by both sides. Glaronia pulled away with four points at the start of the set, but the Wattwil women didn’t give up. Karin Keller in the block and the nimble Libera Kimi Schnegg in defense earned top marks and played a key role in the 14:14 equalizer. And the Wattwil women wanted more. With a powerful attack from Kortlyn Henderson, the home team made it 19:17. Once again a set win for Volley Toggenburg was in the air before the Wattwil women became afraid of their own courage at the crucial moment and let the set slip from their fingers. The fourth set also went to Glarus at 21:25.
Strongest performance yet
Raiffeisen Volley Toggenburg showed the expected close game and a courageous, brave performance against Glaronia. Several players impressed in the home team’s formation. A point win would have been more than deserved, but the Wattwil women lacked competitive luck and cold-bloodedness in the crucial moments. Volley Toggenburg therefore remains on 3 points before facing the Powercats from Düdingen next Wednesday.
