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France's defense sinks Netherlands for 5-1 in VNL

Sports | Volleyball

France's defense sinks Netherlands for 5-1 in VNL

By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar

Powerhouse France displayed its defensive prowess to thrash Netherlands, 25-14, 25-23, 25-13, Thursday in Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League Men’s Leg at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Photo from Volleyballworld.com

The Frenchmen, who finished third in last year’s edition, provided rock-solid defense at the net by posting 12 blocks including five in the second set to clinch their fifth victory in six outings for 15 points.

Nicolas Le Goff bannered that defensive assault by posting six blocks to finish with 10 points, while Stephen Boyer also stepped up with four blocks on top of 11 kills for 15 points.

Netherlands appeared to be bouncing back from a first-set loss by leading early in the second frame, only to watch France put up a strong defensive wall at the net to grab the 15-13 upperhand from a 13-10 deficit.

That set the tone of the match throughout as Netherlands tried to destroy France’s defense to no avail.

The Frenchmen also banked on their 41 kills against the Dutch’s 30.

Barthelemy Chinenyeze also shone for France with 12 points including 10 attacks, while Trevor Clevenot chipped in nine hits for 11 points.

Bennie Tuinstra Junior and Nimir Abdel-Aziz finished with 11 points each for the Netherlands, which slipped to its third loss in six outings for nine points.

Related Tags

VNL Volleyball Nations League

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