Lublin, Poland, August 1, 2015 – Poland gave their home fans plenty to cheer about as they defeated Puerto Rico 25-21, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23 in the second semifinal of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 2 Finals in Lublin, Poland.
Katarzyna Zaroslinska led the Polish offense with 21 points, while Maja Tokarska added 13 points. Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Enright scored a team-best 16 points, while Alexandra Oquendo and Karina Ocasio totalled twelve points each. It was mainly the error rate (Puerto Rico 29, Poland 22) which made the difference between the two teams on Saturday evening.
With Saturday’s semifinal win, the White-and-reds keep their hopes for a possible promotion into World Grand Prix Group 1 alive. The team of new coach Jacek Nawrocki will take on the Netherlands in Sunday’s World Grand Prix Group 2 final.
The hosts, supported by their outstanding fans in Hala Globus, started better into the second semifinal, displaying a strong and variable offense. Katarzyna Zaroslinska (six points) and Anna Grejman (four) led Poland to a merited 25-21 first set win.
The Caribbean – however – quickly bounced back in the beginning of the second set. Stephanie Enright helped her side with blistering winners while libero Debora Seilhamer orchestrated Puerto Rico’s defense with flying colours. Lynda Morales ended the second set in Puerto Rico’s favour 25-21.
Still, it was not good enough. The home side regained control in the third (25-16) and fourth set (25-23). A Puerto Rican net touch ended the match to offer Poland a hard-earned ticket for Sunday’s final of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 2.