Challenger Cup. Women. Match for "bronze"
July 30. Laval, France
Ukraine — Colombia 1-3 (23:25, 25:12, 24:26, 22:25)
Ivan Petkov's team, unfortunately, lost to the Colombian team in the match for third place in the 2023 Challenger Cup. So the blue and yellow team finished this tournament without awards.
The teams had a rather active start to the match. None of them wanted to give the initiative to each other, so most of the time the score on the scoreboard was equal - 8:8, 11:11. Next, Anastasiia Kraiduba's accurate shot and Daria Sharhorodska's spectacular spike provided us with a more or less comfortable handicap — 13:11.
The brave game of the Colombians in defense helped them to equalize the parity - 17:17. Ivan Petkov responded with a timeout. Unfortunately, after that, the rivals won two more rallies, due to which the national teams changed roles - 17:19, 20:22. The end of the set turned out to be intense and remained for the representatives of South America — 23:25.
The blue yellows started strongly in the second set, where a significant part of the points was won by successful actions on the block. There was a change in our team: Viktoriia Danchak appeared on the court instead of Anastasiia Kraiduba. The latter got into the game perfectly and soon, while playing block-out, helped to increase the gap — 9:4.
The coach of Colombia, Antonio Rizola, tried to save the situation with time-outs to calm down his players and break the winning pace of the Ukrainians. However, our ladies could not be stopped. They took courage and scored goals to their heart's points - 25:12.
Petkov's team continued to force events on the court — 8:3. But then he lost his concentration for a moment, allowing the opponents to return to the match. Already at the end of the set, thanks to organized actions over the net, the Colombians completely broke ahead - 18:19. Despite all our attempts to turn the tide of the match, it was Rizola's team who led the score in sets. Amanda Daniel put an end to it with a powerful serve - 24:26.
The fourth set also began with a spurt by our opponents — 0:3. It gave the impression that Ukrainian volleyball players at that time lacked the freshness and strength to demonstrate their best game. They allowed themselves too many mistakes, in particular, at the reception — 1:5, 2:7. This can explain the second consecutive defeat of Ukrainian athletes in the Challenger Cup - 22:25 and overall 1-3.
Let's note the return of Diana Meliushkina after maternity leave, who briefly appeared in place of Anastasiia Maievska. At the same time, the best sniper of the match was the outside hitter of the national team of Ukraine Oleksandra Milenko. She made 23 points.
Starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Sharhorodska (5), Dorsman (c) (14), Maievska (10), Milenko (23), Dymar (7), Kraiduba (6), Niemtseva (l). Substitutes: Danchak (14), Kodola, Meliushkina.
