Yenisey Women Open Russia Cup Campaign with Commanding 3-0 Win Over Uralochka-NTMK 2 Women

Yenisey Women delivered a statement performance in the Russia Cup Women, sweeping Uralochka-NTMK 2 Women in straight sets on September 12, 2026. The home side controlled the match from the opening serve, winning 3-0 and conceding no more than 21 points in any set. The victory underlines Yenisey’s intent to make a deep run in the cup competition, while Uralochka-NTMK 2 will take valuable experience from a tough road test.

Match Overview

The Russia Cup Women fixture brought together a seasoned Yenisey squad and the developmental reserve side of Uralochka-NTMK. Played in front of an engaged home crowd, the match followed a clear pattern: Yenisey’s superior blocking and serving pressure kept Uralochka-NTMK 2 from ever establishing rhythm. The final score read 3-0 in favor of Yenisey, with set scores of 25-19, 25-17, and 25-21.

Yenisey, based in Krasnoyarsk, is a familiar name in Russian women’s volleyball and used this cup tie to rotate its squad while maintaining a high level of execution. Uralochka-NTMK 2, the second team of the storied Uralochka-NTMK program, arrived with a young roster eager to test itself against senior opposition.

Set-by-Set Breakdown

• First set – Yenisey 25-19: The hosts jumped out to an early lead behind aggressive serving and a well-organized block. Uralochka-NTMK 2 settled midway through the set, but Yenisey’s side-out efficiency kept the margin comfortable.
• Second set – Yenisey 25-17: Yenisey raised its level further, stringing together a decisive mid-set run. Strong defense-to-offense transitions repeatedly caught the young Uralochka side out of position.
• Third set – Yenisey 25-21: Uralochka-NTMK 2 produced its best stretch of the match, trading points early and forcing a few Yenisey errors. However, the home team’s experience told in the closing rallies, sealing the sweep with a sharp finish at the net.

Tactical Story: Net Dominance and Serving Pressure

Yenisey’s game plan was built on two pillars: a disruptive serve and a tall, disciplined block. The hosts consistently served into the seams of Uralochka-NTMK 2’s reception, limiting the visitors’ middle attack and forcing them into predictable outside sets. That predictability allowed Yenisey’s blockers to load up on the pins, resulting in several momentum-swinging stuff blocks.

In transition, Yenisey’s setter distributed the ball efficiently, mixing quick middle attacks with high-percentage swings from the wings. Uralochka-NTMK 2 showed flashes of its potential, particularly in the third set, but struggled to sustain long rallies against a more physically mature opponent. The visitors’ passing broke down under pressure, and their attacking errors climbed in the tight moments.

Standout Players

Yenisey’s captain and outside hitter, Ekaterina Lazareva, led the way with a match-high 15 points, including three aces and two blocks. Her powerful serve run in the second set effectively put the match out of reach. Middle blocker Anastasia Shcherbakova added 10 points, anchored the net defense, and finished with a team-best four blocks. Setter Irina Voronina orchestrated the offense with composure, repeatedly finding one-on-one matchups for her hitters.

For Uralochka-NTMK 2, opposite hitter Daria Kuznetsova was the brightest spark, registering 11 points and showing fearless attacking against a bigger block. Libero Polina Sokolova also impressed with several acrobatic digs that kept rallies alive. Despite the loss, the young squad’s third-set resistance offered a glimpse of the talent developing within the Uralochka system.

What the Result Means

With the 3-0 win, Yenisey Women collect maximum momentum in the Russia Cup Women group stage. The straight-sets victory improves their set differential and gives the coaching staff the flexibility to manage minutes ahead of a demanding domestic schedule. For Uralochka-NTMK 2, the defeat is a learning curve rather than a setback; competing against a top-tier side exposes the reserves to the pace and power required at the senior level.

The match also served as a reminder of Yenisey’s depth. Even with rotations, the team maintained a high side-out percentage and committed few unforced errors. If they continue to serve and block at this level, they will be a tough out in the knockout rounds.

Key Numbers and Head-to-Head Context

• Final score: Yenisey Women 3-0 Uralochka-NTMK 2 Women
• Set scores: 25-19, 25-17, 25-21
• Yenisey attack points: 42
• Ural