Dresdner SC's volleyball players have pulled off the sensation and are now dreaming of the double. Coach Alexander Waibl's team won the third and decisive play-off semi-final match on Wednesday at favored defending champions Allianz MTV Stuttgart 3:1 (25:18, 23:25, 26:24, 25:21) to reach the final for the first time since 2021.
Third double within reach
The Elbe club can now clinch its seventh championship title and the third double in the club's history. They will face the winners of the preliminary round, SSC Palmberg Schwerin, in the best-of-five series in the final round on Saturday.
The Dresden side got off to a very focused start, clearly dictating proceedings in the first set with powerful serving, a stable reception and outstanding defending. The defending champions, who had to do without their exceptional player Krystal Rivers due to an injury, fought their way into the game much better in the second set and an exchange of blows on equal terms developed.
In crunch time, Waibl's charges let a three-point lead slip away due to a few easy mistakes and MTV equalized the set. Stuttgart initially dominated the game in the third as well, but the visitors once again proved their comeback qualities. After trailing 10:17, they fought their way back and showed nerves of steel in the tight final phase. They fended off two set points from their opponents and made the most of their first chance.
The visitors played more stable in the fourth set and repeatedly found the better solutions in attack. Diagonal attacker Marta Levinska was the most successful scorer with 19 points and was awarded the golden MVP medal.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
