Dennis Deroey is wary of Haasrode Leuven. — © Bart Vandenbroucke
VOLLEYBALL LOTTO VOLLEY LEAGUE – CHAMPION PLAY-OFF: KNACK ROESELARE – HAASRODE LEUVEN
Roeselare –
Roeselare also didn’t miss a beat in Borgworm. After the 1-3 on Sunday afternoon, Knack remains undefeated in the play-offs and the team of trainer-coach Steven Vanmedegael is again the leader after four of the ten matches in the final round, with a point ahead of closest pursuer Maaseik. Haasrode Leuven will visit on Wednesday evening.
“So we stay on schedule, as they say,” opens Dennis Deroey. “We always needed a tiebreak against Aalst and Maaseik, in Menen we had to concede a set. Just like last Sunday in Borgworm in a match with two faces. The home team started the match strongly, with heavy serving pressure, well organized in blocking and defense, and excellent on the counter-attack. Things were going a bit smoothly for us. Borgworm deservedly took the lead with a clear 25-18. In set two we got the match under control, although Borgworm was still in the lead until 23-23. Once the scores were level, we were able to really push through, with two 14-25 scores and the three important points as a result.”
“The matches in Menen and Borgworm showed that we are not yet in top form,” Deroey realizes. “Our basic level still needs to increase. This will work if everyone with us can remain injury-free and fit. We play again at home on Wednesday evening. Haasrode Leuven, which should not be underestimated, will be the next opponent. With a 9 out of 12 and a provisional third place, the Flemish Brabanders made an excellent start to the play-offs. We can again expect a razor-sharp duel against an opponent who has nothing to lose.”
Tuerlinckx last time as a player in Roeselare?
It could well be that Hendrik Tuerlinckx will be on the field for the last time as a player on Wednesday evening in the Tomabelhal, which he is so familiar with. Unless the former captain of Roeselare still surprisingly reaches the final of the play-offs with Haasrode Leuven. “Can certainly give an extra pigment to the match,” concludes Dennis Deroey. “We obviously wish our ex-captain all the best, but unfortunately not against us.”