Klara Vrabic powered Slovenia to a 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22) victory in opposition to Rwanda within the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games girls’s sitting volleyball event at North Paris Area on Saturday.
Vrabic was unstoppable, racking up 24 factors with 15 crushing assaults, three blocks and 6 service winners. The 22-year-old’s standout efficiency was backed by captain Lena Gabrsceks 16 factors. Rwanda’s Liliane Mukobwankawe led her crew with 12 factors, all from assaults.
“I’m pleased to be taught that I scored that a lot, however I’m right here to play alongside my teammates. We’re one crew. My private rating is only a bonus,” Vrabic stated.
“I feel it was a difficult sport. However I feel we are able to play with each crew, provided that we’re 100 per cent. The whole lot is feasible if the crew is at the correct of energy mentally, bodily.”
The primary set started with Slovenia taking an early lead, pushed by robust serves from Jana Ferjan and Sasa Kotnik Hren. Rwanda fought again, with Mukobwankawe and Marie Adeline Mucyo main their efforts, notably in assault and serve. Regardless of Rwanda’s resilience, they struggled with consistency, committing a number of errors that allowed Slovenia to keep up their edge.
Because the set progressed, Slovenia capitalised on Rwanda’s errors, with Vrabic and Gabrscek enjoying essential roles in each defence and assault. Rwanda referred to as for a timeout at 22-18 in a bid to regroup, however Slovenia’s momentum was too robust. Slovenia closed out the set 25-19 after a collection of well-executed serves and assaults, with the ultimate level coming from a reception error by Rwanda.
Slovenia initially gained the higher hand within the second body, utilizing robust serves and constant assaults to construct a lead. Key contributions from Suzana Ocepek and Gabrscek helped the European aspect preserve the benefit, regardless of the African aspect’s efforts to remain shut within the scoreline.
Nonetheless, Rwanda started to claw their approach again into the sport, as Mucyo’s serves and Mukobwankawe’s assaults performed pivotal roles within the comeback. With the rating tied at 21-21, Rwanda capitalised on Slovenian errors, pulling forward to 24-23 after a important block by Claudine Murebwayire. Rwanda maintained their composure within the last moments, with Mucyo delivering a decisive serve that led to a reception error from Slovenia, closing out the set 25-23 and levelling the match at 1-1.
The third set started with Slovenia rapidly establishing management, leveraging their robust serves and efficient assaults. Vrabic was instrumental as she persistently put stress on Rwanda with highly effective serves that led to a number of reception errors. Rwanda struggled to seek out their footing as they dedicated a number of unforced errors, permitting Slovenia to steadily enhance their lead.
Slovenia’s momentum was unyielding regardless of Rwanda’s effort to struggle again. A key second got here when Rwanda referred to as a timeout at 22-14 in try and regroup, however the Slovenians instantly regained management with Vrabic’s service aces, sealing the set 25-14.
Slovenia as soon as once more began with an early lead, leveraging robust serves and constant assaults from Gabrscek and Vrabic. Rwanda responded with resilience, as Solange Nyiraneza and Mukobwankawe led the cost. Regardless of the stress placed on by Slovenia, Rwanda managed to maintain the rating shut.
The set approached its climax, with Slovenia holding on to a slender lead, however Rwanda refused to again down with robust serves and assaults. Ultimately, Slovenia’s composure in important moments made the distinction, securing a 25-22 win that clinched set and match 3-1.
Photograph: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.
