Well-performing volleyball team Lycurgus from Groningen beat Dynamo in Apeldoorn 3-1

Groningers thus dealt a heavy blow to their fellow title candidates at the start of the Premier League. Lycurgus, who have had a modest preparation for the new season, were narrowly beaten by Dinamo in the Super Cup battle last weekend with a 3-2 defeat. But even then, the men showed coach Arjan Taij what they can do. After trailing 2-0, Groninger equalized, and they then lost the fifth set.

At first, there doesn’t seem to be much going on for the home team in their second match against Lycurgos of the week on Sunday. Although Groningers briefly took the lead, Dinamo seized the initiative and won the first set without any problems 25-22.

Niels de Vries wins the set with a powerful shot

But in the second set the visitors started to play better volleyball with Thomas Sliorink, Kyle McCauley, Cole Gillis, Niels de Vries, Robin Boukodt, Geoffrey Cloke and Cole Boughner. Groningen’s service was sound, and Lycurgos then struck after 16-16 by scoring four times in a row. Midfielder Niels de Vries won the set 19-25 with a powerful winner.

The people of Groningen had a taste of the lion’s den in Apeldoorn and continued in the same vein. Service pressure remained high and many goals were scored. Lycurgus led by five points and was further ahead thanks to excellent blocking. Former Lycurgus player Eric van der Schaaf gave the guests a set point and a 1-2 lead with a score of 17-25.

Dynamo were penalized for the wrong number

In the fourth set, Mike Van Kooten entered the court with the wrong number for the home team. Dinamo were punished for this with a 0-3 lead to Lycurgos. The Apeldoorners leveled the score at 6-6, but saw the better visitors pull away again. After being crushed by American runner Kyle McCauley, Lycurgus took four power points to take the win with a score of 20-24. Luke Hofhus scored the second match point: 21-25 and the win was 3-1.