Korabelka vs. Uralochka-NTMK | HIGHLIGHTS | 1/4 Finals | SuperLeague 2025-2026

In the opening set, the visitors completely outplayed the hosts. Arriving in St. Petersburg with a fighting spirit after their home defeat, the Ural team seized the initiative from the very first plays. Branka Tita's attacks against the blocking players' hands, and Olga Khlebnikova's two-point serves, led to a 10-5 lead. A double block by Fitisova and Protopopova increased the visitors' advantage to seven points (12-5), and the outcome of the set was essentially sealed. Korabelka tried to save the set with the help of Talia Moreno, who hit two difficult shots in a row, as well as Victoria Bobrova and Elizaveta Nesterova, who made a block and an ace, respectively, but they were unable to close the gap in the score — 25:14.

The second set was more stubborn. The beginning of the set was equal (3:3, 5:5), but in the middle of the distance, Uralochka found its trump cards again. Titsa worked brilliantly in defense and on insurance, her teammates completed a protracted play with a tight block (10:6), and then Protopopova served a straight hit – 12:7. Nevertheless, Moreno found gaps in the opponents' block, and Bobrova marked herself with an ace, reducing the gap to a minimum – 19:16. But the Ural volleyball players added in time: the effective block of Shvydkaya and Vaganova (21:16) returned them a comfortable advantage, which they held until the final whistle in the set – 25:19.

The third set was Korabelka's showcase and the best part of the match for the St. Petersburg players. After two difficult sets, the home team managed to turn the tide of the game: Nesterova opened the set with an ace, and Bobrova made a single block, leading to a 4:3 score. Talia Moreno was in the lead in the attack, with her wrist attack passing through the opponents' block (7:4), followed by a sighted drop shot. Two consecutive tight blocks from the players of Korabelka brought the advantage of the hosts to seven points – 16:9. The Ural team, which in the first two sets acted almost flawlessly, suddenly fell apart – there were mistakes in the attack, losses in the reception, nervousness in the defense. Korabelka, on the other hand, was catching the spirit: every won ball was greeted by applause from the stands, every successful attack raised the team spirit. Even when Shvydkaya scored an ace (22:18), hoping to restore the intrigue, the St. Petersburg players did not falter. They clearly led the game to victory, 25:18.

In the fourth set, at first it seemed that the scenario of the third would repeat. Nesterova again opened the game with an ace (3:3), and after a series of mistakes by the guests, Mikhail Karpol was forced to take a timeout already at the score 5:4. "Korabelka" continued to press: Nesterova broke a triple block (10:7), and Palshina added an ace – 13:10. However, this was the end of the hosts' successes. Uralochka-NTMK found the strength for a comeback: Shvydkaya hit an ace (14:17), Protopopova attacked from the back row to reduce the deficit (15:17), and Fitisova's block gave her team the lead – 18:17. One of the highlights of the set was an incredible play where Bobrova saved the ball with her leg, and Korabelka won the video review, tying the score, but unfortunately for the hosts, this only delayed the outcome. The guests tightened their play on the net in attack and block, took the lead again, and Protopopova, having won the passing ball, brought her team a match ball – 24:19. The hosts won it back, but could not save the game – 25:20.

VFV - volley.ru