Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk) started their participation in the Russian Super League playoffs convincingly after coming from behind at home to defeat Belogorie (Belgorod) 3:1 (24:26, 25:19, 25:16, 25:22) in the first match of the quarter-final series.
The team led by Plamen Konstantinov showed character after losing the first set, but gradually imposed control over all key elements and left no doubt about their superiority.
At the heart of the comeback was Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov, who had a strong match and contributed 8 points (5 aces!, 1 block, 40% attack efficiency), also receiving a high rating of 7.6. His serving performance was particularly impressive, where his powerful serves disrupted the opponent's reception at crucial moments.
Team Statistics
| Statistic | Lokomotiv | Belogorie |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 99 | 83 |
| Attack | 61% | 46% |
| Aces | 9 | 4 |
| Block | 11 | 6 |
| Reception | 39% | 29% |
| Errors | 28 | 20 |
Lokomotiv won the match through clear superiority in attack and serving. The 15% difference in attack efficiency is indicative of the control the hosts imposed after the first set. Additionally, the 9 aces and 11 blocks emphasized the pressure on Belogorie, especially in tense situations. Despite committing more errors, the aggressive playing style brought victory for the hosts.
The top scorer for Lokomotiv was Omar Kurbanov with 19 points (1 block, 78% attack efficiency, and 38% positive reception), being the primary weapon in the finishing phase. Significant support also came from Ilya Kazachenkov and Fyodor Voronkov, who scored 16 and 15 points respectively.
For the guests from Belgorod, Mohamed Al Hachdadi was outstanding with 21 points (1 block, 2 aces, 55% attack efficiency), while captain Pavel Tetyukhin added 12 points.
With this victory, Lokomotiv took a 1-0 lead in the series, which is played to two wins out of three matches. The second match is on March 28 in Tula, where Belogorie will seek a mandatory response to stay in the fight for the semifinals.
photo: lokovolley.com
