Bulgarian international Alex Grozdanov played an exceptional blocking game in Bogdanka LUK (Lublin)'s categorical 3:0 (25:18, 25:17, 25:21) victory over GKS Katowice in the third round of the Polish volleyball championship. The middle blocker finished with 12 points, 7 of which were precisely from blocks, making him one of the main protagonists of the match.
The Polish Supercup winner continued their impressive start to the season, recording a third consecutive victory without losing a set in the championship. Stefan Antiga's team now has 9 points and a set difference of 9:0, demonstrating serious stability in both attack and the organization of blocking and defense.
Grozdanov's performance was particularly impressive. The Bulgarian finished with 5 points from attack and 7 from blocks, single-handedly accounting for 70% of his team's ten successful blocks. In comparison, the entire Katowice squad managed to record only one point from this element.
Right from the start, Grozdanov showed what awaited the visitors' attackers. Bogdanka's first two points were scored by opposite Kevin Sasak, after which the Bulgarian recorded three consecutive successful blocks. Thus, the hosts took a 5:0 lead, and Katowice's coaching staff was faced with a serious problem in the very first rallies.
The powerful start allowed Bogdanka to dictate the tempo throughout the first set. After an ace by Sasak, the lead reached 10:4, and subsequently increased to 17:9. The visitors tried to reduce their deficit, but the hosts controlled the situation and won 25:18.
In the second set, Katowice offered more serious resistance. The two teams went point for point until 6:6, before Grozdanov intervened again, this time with a successful attack. The subsequent error by Jakub Szymanski gave the hosts an 8:6 lead.
Bogdanka gradually increased their advantage, having a comfortable lead at 14:10. However, the visitors did not give up and, after good serves by Michal Superlak, reduced the score to 18:16.
This was the last moment of intrigue in the second set. The hosts responded with a strong run, and Japanese international Ran Takahashi finished the set with a successful attack for 25:17.
The third set proved to be the most evenly matched. Katowice managed to respond to the hosts' attacks, with the score reaching 10:10. After that, Bogdanka gradually took the initiative, and an ace by Mikolaj Sawicki increased the lead to 18:14.
In the final rallies, the hosts maintained control. Sasak scored for 23:18, and Takahashi ended the match with a successful attack for 25:21.
Kevin Sasak was the top scorer for Bogdanka with 14 points, finishing with 60% attack efficiency - 12 successful attacks from 20 attempts. The opposite also received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Alex Grozdanov finished with 12 points and was the second-highest scorer for the winners. Ran Takahashi added 11, and Mikolaj Sawicki - 10, including 3 aces.
For Katowice, Michal Superlak was the top scorer with 10 points, but the opposite experienced serious difficulties against the hosts' block. He scored only 9 out of 26 attacks, with six of his attacks being stopped by blocks.
Lublin also had a significant advantage in overall attack efficiency - 54% versus 40%. The hosts also won the serving battle with 6:4 aces, but the decisive statistical indicator remained blocking - 10:1.
Interestingly, Bogdanka achieved the convincing success without the participation of one of their big stars - Wilfredo Leon. The Polish international remained on the bench throughout the match, and Stefan Antiga opted for Mikolaj Sawicki and Ran Takahashi as starting outside hitters.
The victory comes just six days after winning the Polish Supercup, when Bogdanka defeated champions Aluron Warta (Zawiercie) also 3:0. Lublin now has four consecutive victories without losing a set in their official matches since the start of the season, including the trophy match.
For Alex Grozdanov, the performance against Katowice is further proof of his importance at the net. Seven direct points from blocks is an extremely high individual indicator for a match that ended in only three sets, and the Bulgarian was the main reason the visitors' attackers experienced such serious difficulties.
Bogdanka LUK's next challenge is on November 4, when the team hosts PGE Skra (Belchatow). Stefan Antiga's team will try to continue their winning streak, and Grozdanov will once again be among the key figures at the net.