A young volleyball player Liina Räty16, was faced with an exciting place a few weeks ago.
Puijo Wolley’s women’s team’s number one passer Oksana Rusnatchenko was injured and a replacement was needed in his place.
Despite his young age, Räty was the head coach Pekka Seppänen according to the first name of whom to ask. Räty got excited and the rest is history.
The 183-centimeter Räty had to jump into the role of passer in the first match of the semi-final series that decided the place in the final.
– Of course, it was an honor when I was asked to help. Yes, it was very exciting, but it was nice to leave, Räty recalls with a smile.
Räty moved to the team from the Kuortanene coaching center with the exception of the transfer right.
In Kuortane, the games had already ended, so the player from the coaching center had the opportunity to continue the season in his own or another club after the transfer deadline. The background is the mentioned special regulations of the Finnish Volleyball Association, which apply to players playing in Kuortane.
– At the beginning, there was a question mark as to whether it would even be possible to get a replacement in that situation. Fortunately, according to the rules, it was. Liina was already involved in our summer training last summer, says Seppänen.
Head coach: Not an easy place for a league debut
Now there are already four games in the semifinal series against the Hämeenlinna Volleyball Club, and Räty has managed to take his place in the team in an excellent, even game-deciding manner.
Passari has a big responsibility and role and Räty has impressed with his moves in his first games.
– Liina has accepted the challenge very maturely and she has performed well. Not an easy place to make a league debut in the semi-finals. He has been able to handle that too, Seppänen praises.
Seppänen would have expected a bigger impact from the change of passer, but in terms of the game, the impact has not been great.
– Of course, certain things are visible and the fact that we haven’t practiced much with him. However, the big picture has been good, the head coach reflects.
For Rädy himself, the role of passer in the women’s team brought some pressure and excitement.
– After all, I got the feeling that doing it should be good too. It really helped a lot when teammates were around to support and cheer. You didn’t have to make that jump alone, Räty praises.
Seppänen also sees that Räty has been welcomed by the entire team with a good attitude. The captain says the same Hilkka Hujanen.
According to Hujanen, the change of main player in the middle of the season is naturally visible to some extent, but in the end the change has not been of great importance.
– Oksi (Rusnachenko) has played a really big role this season, but Liina has positioned herself well. A lot of props for that, Hujanen praises.
Hujanen thinks that Räty has grown a lot mentally already during the first four games.
– I hope Liina doesn’t take the pressure, we parents can bear it in this situation, she laughs.
Liina Räty believes in the power of the home hall and the audience
Puijo Wolley and Hämeenlinna Volleyball Club will meet on Thursday evening in the last semifinal match of the Women’s Championship League. At the start of the game, the match wins are tied at 2-2.
After four games, Räty has prepared for the last match by resting and looking at his own performances and solutions in previous games.
– Yes, there is a little more pressure because this is the last game. I’m trying to think it’s the same game. When it’s a familiar home hall and the crowd is cheering, it goes so well, Räty believes.
The winner of the night will make it to the final games of the Women’s Championship League.