Iakovlev heads Russian block party

Ivan Iakovlev came to the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League prepared and determined as he guided Russia to capture back-to-back titles

As a VNL first-timer, Iakovlev made his presence felt early on as he manned the net defence of the European squad. By the end of the preliminary round, he was his team's second best blocker with 32 blocks, one block less from Ilyas Kurkaev's output. He took his job seriously and added 13 more stuff blocks to end up as second best middle blocker of the competition. He also contributed 27 points and four aces in the finals.

Like Egor Kliuka, Iakovlev started his professional career with Fakel Novy Urengoy and won a bronze at the 2018 FIVB Men's Club World Championship and two medals at the CEV Challenge Cup - silver in 2016 and gold in 2017. He then moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2019 and then won the CEV Cup the next season.

Watch all of Russia's 2018 and 2019 VNL matches on Volleyball TV!

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