With the counts relatively balanced in kill blocks, serving aces and unforced errors, it was the offense that made the big difference in Poland’s success against Brazil on Sunday. The European champions tallied as many as 42 points in attack, against only 32 from their South American opponents.
Opposite Kewin Sasak was the best scorer of the match. He contributed 19 points towards the victory, registering a remarkable 81% success rate in spiking. He also scored a point from the serving line and a point in blocking. Middle blocker and captain Jakub Kochanowski chipped in with three kill blocks, two aces and five kills in attack at a 71% success rate to tap into the double digits. Outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk, who subbed into the game in sets two and three, had only six opportunities to swing, but he killed them all to sign off with an amazing 100% success rate in offense.
“I am so proud of our team, because we did an amazing job in serving, blocking, spiking and reception… every element. So, I am so happy, I am proud of the team and I hope that we will play a good game again tomorrow,” Poland’s setter Marcin Komenda told VBTV. “It will be a really tough game, because Italy is so strong. So, we have to be ready to fight and prepare for a long game, because Italy will push us from the beginning. I hope that, like today and like the last game against Japan, it will be nice.”