Despite the personnel changes with eight new players, the Berlin Volleys seem to be back in form before the start of the Volleyball Bundesliga season. The German champions have certainly successfully mastered their first test of strength with their eternal rivals VfB Friedrichshafen. “But that was incredibly hard work,” said Volleys captain Ruben Schott after the 3:1 (33:31, 16:25, 25:17, 25:17) final victory on Sunday at the Volleyball League Cup in Hildesheim.
Both teams gave an indication that the championship, which begins next weekend, will again be a duel between Berlin and Friedrichshafen. Since 2013, the BR Volleys and the team from Lake Constance have always met in the Bundesliga play-off finals. The capital club has won the title ten times, with VfB triumphing only in 2015.
Volley believe they are in “good flow”
It is becoming apparent that the BR Volleys have made the changes they underwent before the season more quickly than expected. “We only lost one set in our three games in the League Cup. That’s impressive,” said coach Joel Banks. The Englishman stated with satisfaction: “My players have shown that they work well as a team.”
Before the Bundesliga opener at home against the Grizzlys Giesen on Saturday (6 p.m.), Volleys libero Kyle Dagostino also sees his own team on track. “We are in a good flow, a lot of things are looking very good.” But Ruben Schott is also aware of the quality of his most stubborn rival. “Friedrichshafen has a strong team,” said the outside attacker. His prediction: “It could be a very interesting season.”
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