Kuusamo’s Pallo-Karhut has now won 16 matches in a row and leads the women’s volleyball championship league final series 2-0.
Anu Karttunen,
STT Sports
Chopper Breana Runnels and general player Ciara DeBell were in a good mood on Wednesday in Hämeenlinna, when Kuusamon Pallo-Karhut defeated Hämeenlinna Volleyball Club for the second time 3–0 and now lead the finals of the women’s volleyball Championship League with a 2–0 victory. Runnels scored 20 points and DeBell scored 16 points. Runnels scored eight of his points in the final set. Odette Ndoye was Hämeenlinna’s most effective with 13 points.
Pallo-Karhuje’s passer and captain Katja Kylmäahon thought the team was in trouble at times, but still strong in the deciding balls of the sets. Sometimes Kylmäaho even had difficulties, because there seemed to be too many hot players.
– Whenever there is a cup draw, sometimes it is difficult to choose where to put the pass. But they are positive problems, Kylmäaho assured.
Kuusamo’s women have been undefeated since the end of the season, as the team lost last time in late January. In Hämeenlinna, the home team offered equal resistance in the first two sets, but faltered in the third set. According to Kylmäaho, Kuusamo got a boost from the first battle round and the Volleyball club was frozen with it.
– We were better in attack and kept the game balanced. The club has a tough serve at home, but we were able to control that as well. And we defended really well again, Kylmäaho said.
The third SC final will also be played in Hämeenlinna on Thursday and the potentially decisive fourth final next Sunday in Kuusamo. Kylmäaho reminded that tomorrow’s match starts again with a 0–0 situation, and past matches are irrelevant. The reigning champion team isn’t even thinking about a possible championship party yet.
Are the drinks cold?
– Not yet! Except recovery drinks, Kylmäaho laughed.
LP Kangasala stretched the bronze medal
A general player and a youngster selected for the national team Iida Pöllänen scored 23 points when LP Kangasala defeated Puijo Wolley’s set 3–1 in the second bronze match, and thus the wins are equal 1–1.
The decisive third match will be played in Kuopio on Thursday. Only then will the league’s new modern bronze medals be awarded to the team that won the match.
The turning point was the third set, which LP Kangasala won with follow-up balls 31–29. The home team’s faith waned, and the fourth set ended 10–25.
LP Kangasala’s second general player Delay Pyhäjärvi scored 17 points. A chipper was also selected for the national team last week Neea-Maria River scored 15 points. Chopper Reina Tokoku made Puijo 18 and a general player Hilkka Hujanen 17 points.
Katja Kylmäaho was interviewed by Toni Flink.