Lokomotiv wins the first match of the Challenge Cup quarterfinal

Lokomotiv Baku defeated German SC Schweriner in the first leg match of the GM Challenge Cup quarterfinal, 3:0 (25:23, 25:19, 25:16) on Tuesday afternoon.

Lokomotiv opened up the first set leading 8:5 at the first technical timeout, but the German team fought back to tie the match at 12. Two teams exchanged points until the second technical with the hosts holding a slim 16:15 lead. With the set tied again at 20, Lokomotiv managed to pull ahead 24:21, forcing a set point. Schweiner fought off two set points, but a quick kill by Kovalenko gave the opening set to Lokomotiv, 25:23.

In the second set, both teams kept the score tight as neither Lokomotiv nor Schweriner were able to gain more than a two point advantage. With the set tied at 18, Lokomotiv finally broke the deadlock with a 7:1 rally paced by three blocks and two kills from Nancy Metcalf.

Lokomotiv jumped out to a quick 8:3 lead in the third set on a double-block by Nancy Metcalf and Kseniya Kovalenko. The host team kept the visitors at bay as back to back kills from Parkhomenko, Richards and Kamenova gradually extended Lokomotiv lead to seven, 19:12. Moments later, Vera Klimovic pushed the home team up by nine, 22:13. The German team rallied for three straight point to trim Lokomotiv's margin to six, 22:16, but a pair of late kills by Metcalf (again!) clinched the set and the match for Lokomotiv, 25:16.

The second leg match between two teams is scheduled for next week, March 1.