As many as five of the Dutch players reached the double digits in this match, led by outside hitter and captain Nika Daalderop (three kill blocks) and 22-year-old opposite Elles Dambrink with 18 points apiece. 22-year-old middle blocker Eline Timmerman impressed with half of the team’s 12 kill blocks towards a 17-point tally, while her cross-court teammate Britte Stuut, also 22, added two blocks to finish with 12 points. Outside Marrit Jasper put away another 11 points.
“Of course, we knew that Sweden is a super strong team with an amazing opposite and experienced outside hitters. So, for sure, we did not underestimate them and expected a game like this. To start off with a win was very important for us,” Daalderop told VBTV. “We started off a little bit nervous, but kept patient and fought back in the game. So, this is something we could take over to the next game too.”
Sweden outclassed the Netherlands from the serving line with six aces against three. Star opposite Isabelle Haak herself authored three of those and put up a kill block towards a solid match high of 31 points. Her sister, outside and captain Anna Haak, had an excellent performance at the net with five of the team’s 11 kill blocks towards a 20-point total.
