Olympians Mikhaylov and Volkov enjoy Russian All-Star glory
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Mikhaylov was a commanding presence as his team won the Russian All-Star match |
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Moscow, Russia, February 25, 2013 – Olympic gold medallist Maxim Mikhaylov earned domestic bragging rights as the young Russian side he captained won the Russian Superleague All-Star Match.
Russia’s Olympic coach Alexander Volkov was assisted in his duties by Vladimir Alekno as Mikhaylov’s side won the match 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20).
They defeated the team of over-30s captained by Mikhaylov’s fellow Olympic champion Sergey Tetyukhin and coached by Vadim Khamutskih and Gennady Shipulin at the Druzhba Sports Arena.
Both teams featured a number of players from Russia's London 2012 gold medal-winning team, but Mikhaylov’s team put the emphasis on youth, while Tetyukhin stuck with experienced heads. Mikhaylov’s decision was vindicated as his team raced into a two-set lead and took control of the match and while they that control slip in the third, they regained it in the fourth to secure the win.
The All-Star match also featured contests for fastest serve, which Pavel Moroz won, while another of Russia’s Olympic heroes Dmitry Muserskiy finished with the best attacker award.
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