Superiority at the net: Timothee Carle Photo: City Press
From BZ/dpa
The Berlin Volleys got the expected mandatory victory in the Volleyball Bundesliga against VC Bitterfeld-Wolfen. The German champions held their own 3-0 (25:12, 25:22, 25:13) against the promoted team from Saxony-Anhalt on Wednesday in front of 3,571 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle.
Thanks to the slightly better set ratio, the Berliners moved past the SWD powervolleys Düren, who had the same number of points (14 points each), to the top of the table.
Volleys coach Joel Banks rested his regulars Ruben Schott and Nehemiah Mote against Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Cody Kessel and Timo Tammemaa came into play for this. Middle blocker Tobias Krick was missing due to a minor concussion.
Cody Kessel from the BR Volleys bravely digs against Bitterfeld Photo: City Press
Despite the personnel changes, the hosts quickly found their flow. After an ace from setter Johannes Tille, the Volleys took a ten-point lead for the first time in the first set (17:7).
The second round was tighter, but the favorite ultimately decided it in his favor thanks to the points from attacker Timothee Carle.
In the final section, the German champions clearly demonstrated their superiority again. With a series of serves from Leon Dervisaj, who substituted for Tille, the Berliners took a 21:8 lead and then effortlessly secured victory.