With today's win over Kenya (and Bulgaria's victory against Czech Republic in Group C2), Poland has already secured a spot in the Final Four
Włocławek, Poland, June 11, 2016 – Poland remain undefeated after two days of the FIVB World Grand Prix tournament in Włocławek. The hosts claimed their second win in straight sets (25-18, 25-10, 25-14) against the competition debutante, Kenya on Saturday.
The straight-set defeat means Kenya are yet to win a set at the 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix. This short match saw a great performance by Polish opposite spiker, Malwina Smarzek, who was chosen the Most Impressive Player with 13 points to her name. On the Kenyan side, the highest score was amassed by the team captain, Moim Mercy (11 pts).
The atmosphere in the Champions’ Hall encouraged the home team to put their hearts into the game from the very beginning of set one. Poland took a comfortable 16-11 lead at the second technical time-out and did not look back. Brackcides Khadambi showed a few technical hits, but her team could not deal with the Polish attack. The first set ended with a double-touch error on Kenya’s side at 25-18.
Tamara Kaliszuk opened the second part with some strong spikes and the score started looking good for Poland again. The hosts stayed on the winning track, but Kenya did not lose their positive attitude and cheered after each point gained. At 17-8 coach Jacek Nawrocki changed the first setter Joanna Wolosz and let Marlena Pleśnierowicz in to play. She did her job well and after a massive kill by Kaliszuk, Poland won easily 25-10.
A brilliant performance by Emilia Mucha on the serve resulted in a 4-0 lead in set three. The White-Reds slowed down a bit at 9-4 letting the Kenyan players play with a bit more confidence. The vistors used the opportunity, by stepping up their efforts in spike and reduced the gap to one point at 9-8. That was all they could do, however. Poland continued to play aggressively in attack, regaining their lead. In the end of the game Martyna Hawryla dinked lightly and on the next point Martyna Smarzek’s huge kill closed the match at 25-14.