PAOK book ticket to Volley League Finals for a fifth consecutive season
PAOK cruised past Kifisia 3:0 set in Tuesday’s game three to sweep the best of five series and book their ticket to the Volley League Playoff Finals for a fifth consecutive season.
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It was a rather easy series for PAOK in the Greek Volley League playoff semifinals as the Dikefalos tou Vorra cruised to a 3-0 series sweep against Kifisia.
PAOK take 2-0 series lead in Thessaloniki
The Thessalonikis, who defeated local rivals Iraklis in the first round of the playoffs (2-1 series win), had no problem taking an early 1-0 series lead after defeating Kifisia 3:0 set in game one (25:19, 25:15, 25:18).
In game two, Kifisia posed more of a threat and despite falling behind after a closely contested first set (26:24), managed to pull level by winning the second set 22:25. Unfortunately for the Attica side, this would be the only set they would win in the entire series. PAOK took control in sets three (25:21) and four (25:18) to win the match 3:1, and go up 2-0 in the best of five series before traveling to Kifisia for game three.
PAOK finish series sweep in Kifisia
Wednesday’s game three was similar to the series’ opening game as PAOK were in complete control from the get go. A strong start in set one (3:8, 10:16) proved decisive as PAOK held a comfortable advantage to win 16:25.
The second set remained a close one up until the midway point (14:16) when a late PAOK run saw them increase their lead to six points (15:21) before going on to win 17:25.
Kifisia, knowing their season depended on it, put up a good fight in the third set and took the lead late on at 21:19, but an explosive end to from the Thessalonikis pushed them to victory, 20:25, to win the match 0:3 set.
With the 3-0 series sweep, PAOK booked their ticket to the Volley League Finals for a fifth consecutive season, where they will hope to win the club’s fourth league crown. Their three titles came in quick successions in 2015, 2016, and 2017, before being dethroned by Olympiacos last season.
PAOK will await the winner of the other semi final pairing between Olympiacos and Foinikas Syros. Heading into Tuesday, the Red held a 2:0 series lead, however Foinikas Syros forced a game four after recoding and impressive 3:0 set victory on Tuesday. Game four is scheduled for Thursday.
If Olympiacos finish the job, it will be a third consecutive showdown between the Erythrolefki and Dikefalos in the playoff Finals.
Last weekend, PAOK marched on to win the Greek Volleyball Cup for a second year running after defeating Olympiacos in the semifinals before taking down city rivals Iraklis in the final.
