Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, May 26, 2017 – Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank blazed into a 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22) win over Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power in Group A of the SMM 2017 Asian Women’s Club Samruk Kazyna Volleyball Championship on Friday.
In a post-match interview at the Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace, Sarmayeh Bank’s Farnoosh Sheikhi shared her comments on the team’s performance: “We played well today and this is something important for the Iranian people. I hope we do even better in the next matches.”
Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power rushed to a commanding 13-4 lead in the opening set, and established good rhythm and timing in blocks from Tseng Wan-Ling and Lee Tsu-Ying. Captain Chang Li-Yun set off from the flanks to score for attacks.
Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank, meanwhile, had to deal with miscues in attack and formation. They encountered challenges in passing the ball to set up their plays. The Iranian side managed to save four set points, but eventually lost 18-25 in the first set.
Sarmayeh Bank vastly improved in the second set to challenge their opponents. The Iranian hitters were now more aggressive with Sheikhi attacking at the middle. They were also able to run combination plays especially after they have come to manage their reception better. Maedeh Borhani attacked ferociously from the flank. Mahsa Saberi went for the tip-in to nab the second set, 25-21
In the third set, Chinese Taipei reverted to their well-executed plays. Iran started to play good defence, as they stood their ground to sustain long rallies against their opponents. Sarmayeh Bank minimised their errors and was able to keep up with Chinese Taipei.
Chinese Taipei gained a narrow two-point lead (16-14) at the second technical time-out, but Iran managed to gain momentum in the middle with Tahmine Dargazani. Sarmayeh won the third set, 25-22.
In the fourth set, teams contested every point with all their might. Taiwan Power’s Chang Li-Yun snapped with her attacks from the wing, while Sarmayeh Bank’s Borhani continued to deliver powerful spikes.
The Iranian side took a 16-15 lead at the second technical time-out. By this time, Taiwan Power’s attacks were going haywire, but vindicated themselves to bring to the set to a 21-21 tie. Sarmayeh’s Sheikhi delivered the final point with a tip-in, to close the fourth set at 25-22.
Sarmayeh Bank are set to play against home team Altay VC on Saturday, May 27, at 19:00 local time.
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