Volleyball Lotto Volley League – Champion Play-Off Knack Roeselare – Greenyard Maaseik 3-1
Dennis Deroey watches in the background how his teammates Rune Fasteland and Seppe Rotty try to block visitor Ferre Reggers. — © Bart Vandenbroucke
The fans and neutral volleyball enthusiasts have been spoiled this season by Knack Roeselare. Barely two days after the heavy disappointment about the lost CEV Cup final, the Tomabelhal was once again partying. If Knack went down against Modena on Wednesday evening, it was already possible on Friday to give eternal rival Maaseik a solid uppercut and a probably decisive step towards home advantage in the final of the play-offs.
Ivan D’Hoop
“Especially mentally, it was not easy to recharge ourselves in such a short time for another top match”, said Dennis Deroey after the 3-1 win against Maaseik. “Wednesday evening was very disappointing, but on Thursday afternoon we were back on the field. Looking back at Modena, boosting each other up and then training again. Friday morning the same and then again in the evening. We faced Maaseik again, achieved a very solid level and took three important points.”
“The fact that the Limburgers did not want to move the match caused some enthusiasm between the clubs, but had little influence on the players,” said the Roeselare libero. “One or more days of extra rest would certainly have been welcome, but all in all we were in it and we got through it well. The first set was ours, Maaseik took the second inning convincingly. In sets three and four, the spectators got their money’s worth. Excitement, high-quality volleyball with many long rallies and an optimal denouement for us.”
Home derby against Menen
With a match less played, Knack takes the lead with two points ahead of Maaseik. A final ticket is almost in and the first place will be Dennis Deroey and co. undoubtedly defend tooth and nail. “The pole position for the final is the next goal”, Dennis Deroey concluded. “We are going to try to bring that to a successful conclusion match by match, starting with the derby on Tuesday evening against Menen. The neighbors apparently have a hard time in the play-offs to find a decent level and, above all, to maintain a whole match. We never commit ourselves to underestimation, but at home against Menen we must not give up a point.”
