Low-placed Huizen had little to say against Nova Tech Lycurgus on Saturday evening. The Groningen volleyball players were too strong 3-0 in their own Martiniplaza.
Lycurgus, which started without three sick or injured starting players, had to get going. Initially, not all men at number four in the Premier League had their sights set. This initially created an even match that continued until the score was 15-15. The Groningers’ outside attackers in particular had been somewhat careless in their finishing until then. However, this was made up for by the high-scoring middle attack, in which Robin Boekhoudt distinguished himself with smashing and blocking.
Huizen’s resistance slowly collapses
Because the Groningers started to serve better and also became dangerous from the sides, Huizen’s resistance slowly collapsed. Partly thanks to a service ace from Ramon Martinez Gion, the home team took a 24-18 lead, after which the experienced passer-runner made it 25-10 on the second match point and the 1-0 lead for Lycurgus.
The Groningen team had gotten into the rhythm and went even further in the second set. That led to a match in which Huizen was completely outplayed. Lycurgus expanded into an ever-increasing lead. Coach Teun Buijs tried to turn the unfavorable tide for his team by sending his men to the side several times for timeouts. But that didn’t help. A little later it became 2-0 for Lycurgus through a deadly block at 25-13 in the second set.
Lycurgus has to work again on Sunday
The Groningen team went on to an easy 3-0 win over Huizen without having to exert too much effort. That suited coach Taaij and his men well, because on Sunday they have to play against Talentteam Papendal for the second time in the weekend. Because Martiniplaza is not available on Sunday, the Stadjers will play that home game in Assen.
Taaij was able to switch effortlessly due to Huizen’s weak resistance. He brought on his second playmaker Sam Gortzak, Maarten Bartels and Guus Boer. However, the changes led to a messier game in the third set for the home team, which had to get used to the new composition. Huizen, which fought for its last chance in the game, took an 8-10 lead.
Two service aces in a row from Ramon Martinez Gion
Martinez Gion, who recovered from a serious knee injury, then put things in order for Lycurgus with no fewer than two consecutive service aces and created a 12-10 lead. Yet the Groningers could not shake off Huizen this time. The big points came with the score 20-19, after which Boer created a two-point gap with a striking smash. But it didn’t really get exciting in the final phase. Maarten Bartels won the third set 25-21 and won the 3-0 with a beautiful service ace. Robin Boekhoudt became man of the match.
Lycurgus will also have to make do on Sunday without the sick American Kyle McCauley and the long-injured Niels de Vries and Cal Fisher, also from the US. The match against Talentteam Papendal will take place from 3.30 pm in the Olympus sports hall in Assen.