Kate Antropova and Italy during a game vs Czechia within the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s week 2 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. –VOLLEYBALL WORLD PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Kate Antropova caught fire from the service line, nailing six aces to steer Italy’s 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 sweep of Czechia within the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) women’s week 2 on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The 6-foot-8 Antropova stood tall with 21 points, including 14 kills and a block, as defending champion Italy improved to 4-1, bouncing back from a five-set loss to Brazil last week.
The Italians built a 17-8 lead from Antropova’s ace, but Czechia fought back and cut it right down to 21-20 after Helena Grozer’s hit. Sarah Luisa Fahr scored back-to-back kills, followed by Josephine Obossa’s attack to assist them reach match point, 24-20.
The Czechs saved two match points, but Antropova’s point sealed the match in an hour and half-hour.
Kate Antropova fires six aces in Italy’s 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 win over Czechia. #BePartofTheGame | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/yDJXaBuTQ3
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“We’re really joyful to start out a brand new week. We all know that playing against Brazil was hard and we’re really joyful with the result. It’s not fun losing but it surely’s an ideal match to learn from,” said Antropova.
“I feel we showed an ideal start. Sometimes we had difficult moments in the sport but we were able to avoid wasting the team and I’m also joyful with all of the stuff that went great. We’re working.”
Fahr delivered 13 points. Stella Nervini had 12, while Obossa added nine points ahead of Italy’s next battle against Serbia on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Czechia slid to a 3-2 record, before facing United States, also on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Monika Brancuska powered the Czechs with 16 points, while Michaela Mlejnkova added 11.