Well-playing volleyball team Lycurgus from Groningen now beat Dynamo in Apeldoorn 3-1

The volleyball players of Samen Lycurgus are starting to play more and more to their potential. Reigning national champion Dynamo was defeated 3-1 in Apeldoorn.

The Groningers thus dealt a heavy blow to their fellow title candidate at the start of the Premier League. Lycurgus, which had a mediocre preparation for the new season, was narrowly defeated by Dynamo in the battle for the Supercup last weekend with a 3-2 defeat. But even then, the men showed coach Arjan Taaij what they could be capable of. After trailing 2-0, the Groningers then leveled, after which they lost the fifth set.

Initially, there did not seem to be much going on for the home team in the second game against Lycurgus in a week on Sunday. Although the Groningers were briefly ahead, Dynamo seized the initiative and won the first set without any problems 25-22.

Niels de Vries wins the set with a hard blow

But in the second set the visitors started to play better volleyball with Thomas Sleurink, Kyle McCauley, Cole Gillis, Niels de Vries, Robin Boekhoudt, Jeffrey Klok and Cole Bogner. The Groningen service was in order, after which Lycurgus struck after 16-16 by scoring four times in a row. Center man Niels de Vries won the set 19-25 with a hard blow.

The people of Groningen had a taste for the lion’s den in Apeldoorn and continued in the same way. The service pressure remained high and many goals were scored. Lycurgus took a five-point lead and was further ahead thanks to excellent blocking. Former Lycurgus player Erik van der Schaaf gave the visitors the set point and a 1-2 lead at 17-25.

Dynamo penalized for wrong number

In the fourth set, Mike van Kooten came into the field with the wrong number for the home team. Dynamo was punished for this with a 0-3 lead for Lycurgus. The Apeldoorners tied the score at 6-6, but saw the better-playing visitors walk away again. After a smash by American passer-runner Kyle McCauley, Lycurgus received four power points for the victory at 20-24. Luuk Hofhuis hit the second match point: 21-25 and a 3-1 win.

Dynamo-Lycurgus: 1-3

Set positions: 25-22, 19-25, 17-25 and 21-25.

Next game: Saturday, 8 p.m.: Sliedrecht Sport-Lycurgus.

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