Match report Still with a clean sheet

SWD powervolleys Düren remain top of the Volleyball Bundesliga. They won 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 30-28) at Energiequelle Netzhoppers Königs Wusterhausen. After five matches they have 15 points and a 15-0 record in sets, and no other team in the league is still without a lost set. Head coach Christophe Achten praised a mature performance: For two sets his team impressed the opponent, he said, but a level like that cannot always be sustained.

Clear dominance

In the first two sets Düren put the Netzhoppers under pressure with strong serving. Captain Robert Viiber and Marcin Ernastowicz produced scoring runs in the first set, while Philipp Lauter and Jordan Canham caused the hosts the most trouble in the second. After the aggressive serves, Düren kept scoring at the block or on the counterattack. The lead grew to eleven points in the first set and twelve in the second.

Staying calm in the third set

In the third set Düren's pressure on serve and at the block dropped. The Netzhoppers quickly led 3-0, Düren later went up 12-9, and the lead changed hands several times. Düren missed three match points and saved two set points. Then Viiber, later voted the most valuable player of the match, served an ace for 29-28. A Netzhoppers attack error ended the match. Achten said his team had stayed calm and trusted its strengths, led by an outstanding Canham in attack.

Cup round of 16 against Munich on Thursday

Düren are back at home as soon as Thursday: At 7 p.m. they host WWK Volleys München in the round of 16 of the ZOI DVV Cup. Eleven days ago Düren won the Bundesliga meeting at the same venue 3-0. After a weak start to the season overall, Munich have changed coaches, with Hungarian David Zoltan now on the sideline. Achten pointed out that nothing is guaranteed in the cup and that league wins do not count there. Munich are a very talented opponent, he said, and his team is ready.