Levski overcame serious resistance in the first set and defeated Slavia 3:0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:18) in the capital derby from the second round of the Demax+ Super League. In Panayot Pondalov Hall, Dragan Nesic's team recorded a second consecutive success without losing a set.
The "Whites" put the visitors in difficulty from the start and forced them to catch up in the opening set. Levski, however, found a way out of the difficult situation and snatched the set with 25:23.
After that, the "Blues" dictated the game and won the next two sets with 25:18 each.
The day was special for Slavia's setter Elena Dimitrova. The granddaughter of former national coach Ivan Seferinov organized the hosts' game on her 15th birthday.
Joana Alcantara was the top scorer for the winners with 20 points, including one ace and three blocks. Gabriela Zhekova added 10 points with one ace.
A strong performance was made by 16-year-old Krasimira Garova. The player from Levski's academy entered the third set and scored eight points, two of which were from service. With her second ace, she ended the match.
Ella Gray finished with five points, Elena Kolarova and Venesa Radeva - with four each, with all of Radeva's points coming from blocks. Setter Dimana Ivanova added two aces.
After the match, Nesic congratulated the opponent and turned his attention to the upcoming European away game.
"I want to congratulate Slavia, they play exceptional volleyball, it was important for us to win today. On Wednesday we have an important match in the Netherlands, today we were not brilliant, but I want to congratulate my team for the important three points," he told BNT.
The Serbian specialist emphasized that building the squad requires months, and the main goal is participation in all possible finals.
Slavia's coach Ivan Dimitrov highlighted the fluctuations after the first set, but remained optimistic about the team's development.
"For me, a place in the top four is achievable. We still have more to show. We are building up every week," he told BNT.
On October 28, at 9:00 PM, Levski will visit Dutch Apollo 8 in the first match of the 1/32 finals of the Challenger Cup. The next challenge in the championship is the eternal derby with CSKA on November 1 at 1:30 PM in the "reds'" hall.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
