Start of the play-offs: BR Volleys easily win 3:0 against Unterhaching

The BR Volleys managed a comfortable 3-0 win (25:16; 25:19; 25:10) in the play-off quarter-finals of the Bundesliga against TSV Unterhaching on Saturday evening. A little surprisingly, the diagonal attacker Matheus Krauchuk got his place and replaced Marek Sotola, who should be rested after the hardships of the past few weeks. The Brazilian demonstrated his penetrating power in the first set and scored again and again. In the other elements, too, the volleys had no problems against the guests from Bavaria, who were in eighth place after the Bundesliga intermediate round.

Unterhaching nevertheless showed morale and fighting spirit and didn’t let the volleys pull away so quickly, at least at the beginning of the second set. They were even able to win one rally. However, it wasn’t enough for a tour. Berlin’s outside attacker Timothée Carle made short work of it, hammered the ball over the net and scored to make it 11:8. After that, Krauchuk upped the ante and let the spectators cheer again. Bit by bit, the volleys increased their lead, and in the end middle blocker Nehemiah Mote converted the set ball.

Radiant Krauchuk

The hosts also dominated the last set. Setter Johannes Tille, who himself comes from Bavaria, delivered two aces right at the start. Only in the block did Berlin have problems again and again, which may also have something to do with the fact that Saso Stalekar is still absent. In between, coach Cédric Énard, who announced his departure at the end of the season this week, gave other players their services, such as the Finn Antti Ronkainen. In the end it was Krauchuk who converted the match point and was celebrated by over 3500 spectators. He was also voted the most valuable player of the night.

“It’s unbelievable,” he beamed after the game. “I’m so happy, my family and Brazilian friends watched today. I don’t get that many appearances, so I’m all the happier.” The second leg isn’t played away until next weekend.