JKU USI Linz Volleyball vs Sportunion Wels

Our first opponent in the Harald Rößler Cup was Sportunion Wels. They are currently 4th in the 3. Landesliga West, having won two out of four games in the league.

We started strongly into the game, pressuring the opponent with our serves and blocks from the beginning. After a 4:0 lead Wels started to find into the game as well. They caught up quickly and even gained a small lead (10:13). From that point on we started to find our rhythm and scored break after break, whereas Wels only managed to take three sideout points (23:16). We won the set by 25:19.

The second set started more or less even until 10:13. Then we scored on two extensive streaks to gain a 18:14 lead, which we could hold until the end of the set (25:19). With an again really strong start (7:0) in the third set we destroyed our opponent's hopes for a late comeback immediately. Although they started to score some points on their own we could even extend our lead (20:9). A clear 25:14 confirmed our win over Sportunion Wels. (Match Details)

JKU USI Linz Volleyball vs UVB Sparkasse Grieskirchen

Our next opponent, UVB Sparkasse Grieskirchen, had eliminated TSV St. Georgen/Gusen 2 in their first match of the day (3:1). They stand on fourth place in the 2. Landesliga at the moment.

We could definitely suprise our opponents in the first set. We immediately went in front and managed to build up a 12:5 lead. Then Grieskirchen recovered and scored multiple breaks for a score of 15:13, and even equalized at 18:18. From this point on we took the set back in our hands and won 25:22.

In the second set Grieskirchen started stronger (1:4). But then we scored an impressive service run with multiple aces to get in front by 10:4. We stayed strong and held onto this lead to 16:9. At this time Grieskirchen was able to score multiple break points and come close again (16:14). We again finished the set strongly and took the second set as well (25:19).

The first minutes of the third set went horribly wrong for us. We were only able to score our first point after being five points behind already (1:5).  Grieskirchen could decide another two rallies in their favor before we were able to find our way into this set. We were able to nearly close the gap rather quickly (9:11), before losing some more sideouts to a score of 11:18. We had one last attempt to turn the set around, forcing Grieskirchen into a timeout at 15:18. In the end the effort was not enough, and we had to give this set to Grieskirchen (17:25).

In the fourth set we exchanged the lead multiple times until Grieskirchen could gain a three point advantage at 10:13. We fought back and equalized at 17:17. Both teams took their following sideout opportunities, and at 19:19 the set was still tied. Unfortunately for us Grieskirchen were really successful with their next services, and built up a lead late in the game (19:22). We could stop the service run with a timeout, but it was already too late. In a great last effort we kept the game close (23:24), but lost set 4 as well (23:25).

So it had to come down to a deciding fifth set. Great for the spectators, not so great for us, it turned out. The start was not too bad (3:5), but then Grieskirchen got a real run. Strong serves, a little bit of luck here and there, compared with some errors on our side got them in a strong position (4:10). UVB Sparkasse Grieskirchen was able to close the set at 8:15 and therefore eliminate us from the tournament. (Match details)

With that game our run in the Harald Rößler Cup was over, and we look forward to our next league games: We will play against SG Mühlviertel Volleys 3 and ASKÖ Powervolleys Freistadt on Sunday, 8.12.2024 at 12:00 in the Kepler Hall. We hope to see many of you there!