Epitsentr Horodok secured a 3-1 home victory over VNAU in the Superleague on 17 October 2026, delivering a composed performance that combined strong blocking, patient defence and timely attacking runs. The final score reflected Horodok’s ability to control the key moments, especially in the third and fourth sets, after VNAU had briefly levelled the match in the second.

Match overview

Epitsentr Horodok started with purpose and took the opening set with a balanced attack. VNAU responded well in the second, tightening their serving and finding success through the wings to level the match. The home side then reasserted control after the interval, dominating the third set before holding off a late VNAU challenge in the fourth to close out the win.

• Set 1: Epitsentr Horodok 25-20 VNAU
• Set 2: Epitsentr Horodok 22-25 VNAU
• Set 3: Epitsentr Horodok 25-18 VNAU
• Set 4: Epitsentr Horodok 25-21 VNAU

Key moments

Horodok made the stronger start, moving ahead early in the first set behind a steady serve-receive game and a few well-timed blocks. VNAU stayed competitive, but the home side’s ability to side-out quickly allowed them to keep a small cushion and take the opener 25-20.

The second set was VNAU’s best spell of the match. Their serve put Horodok under pressure, and their outside hitters found angles through the block. VNAU held on in a tight finish to take it 22-25, giving themselves hope of turning the match into a longer battle.

Horodok’s response after the second set was decisive. They opened the third with a 6-1 run, mixing powerful serves with an improved block-defence connection. VNAU were forced into several high-ball attacks, and Horodok’s transition game flourished. The 25-18 scoreline restored the home side’s advantage.

VNAU did not go away in the fourth and even led briefly at 14-16, but Horodok responded with a crucial block and two counter-attack points to regain the lead. From there, the home side managed the closing rallies well and sealed the match 25-21.

Tactical story

Horodok’s victory was built on control of the first contact. When their reception held, they were able to involve the middle blocker and create one-on-one situations for their pin hitters. That balance made them difficult to defend, particularly in the third set when VNAU’s block began to drift.

VNAU’s best moments came when their serve disrupted Horodok’s rhythm. In the second set, they targeted the wings and forced a more predictable attack, which allowed their block to set up better. The problem was consistency: once Horodok improved their passing in the third, VNAU struggled to sustain pressure and gave up several long scoring runs.

Defensively, Horodok were the more settled side. Their block closed the line effectively, and the backcourt players picked up a number of deflected balls that extended rallies. In the fourth set, that resilience proved crucial when VNAU threatened to push the match towards a decider.

Standout players

Epitsentr Horodok’s opposite hitter, Dmytro Koval, led the home attack with 24 points, including key kills in the third and fourth sets. His scoring from the right side gave Horodok a reliable outlet whenever the pass was less than perfect.

Horodok’s captain and middle blocker also made a strong contribution at the net, with six blocks and several important touches that slowed VNAU’s attack. For VNAU, outside hitter Oleh Marchenko was the main threat with 19 points, while their libero produced a number of impressive defensive plays that kept the visitors within range in the second and fourth sets.

Season impact

The 3-1 win gives Epitsentr Horodok three important points in the Superleague standings and strengthens their position in the upper part of the table. It was also a performance that underlined their depth: when the serve-receive improved, they had enough attacking variety to pull away from a competitive VNAU side.

For VNAU, the defeat leaves them with useful lessons. They showed they can compete when their serving is aggressive and their block is organised, but they will need greater consistency across all four sets to convert those spells into results. The Superleague table remains tight, and both teams will view the coming rounds as an opportunity to build momentum.