Bulgarian outside hitter Kaloyan Balabanov scored 7 points for Sungurlu Belediyespor in their dramatic 2:3 (25:20, 21:25, 23:25, 25:23, 11:15) away loss to Akedaş Onikişubat Belediyespor in a match from the sixth round of the Turkish Efeler League.
The match in "Merkez 1" hall in Kahramanmaraş lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes in front of 400 spectators, and the visitors managed to win their first point in the championship, although they continue to be without a victory.
Balabanov started the match on the bench, came into play in the second set, and was already among the starters in the next three sets. The Bulgarian finished with 7 points, scored after 6 successful attacks from 16 attempts (37.5% success rate) and one block.
The outside hitter was also involved in reception, where he handled 12 serves, achieving 33% positive and 17% excellent reception. From nine serves executed, he made one error.
Sungurlu started better and won the first set 25:20, but the hosts responded with two consecutive sets – 25:21 and 25:23. The visitors found the strength to equalize after 25:23 in the fourth set and sent the match to a tie-break, in which Onikişubat prevailed 15:11.
The most effective player for Sungurlu was American opposite Kyle Ensing with 23 points, followed by Norwegian Oscar Espeland with 19. For the winners, Brazilian Gabriel Candido played an impressive match and finished with 35 points.
Interestingly, Sungurlu had a significant advantage in blocking – 18 against 11 points, but conceded in attack with 51 against 61 successful finishes, as well as in aces – 3 against 8.
After seven matches played, Balabanov's team occupies 13th place in the standings with one point and a record of seven losses. Sungurlu's next challenge is an away game against Altekma on November 21.