Gislaved VK's Foreigners Talk About Their Time in Gislaved and Sweden

Playoffs await. Värnamo Nyheter sat down with GVK's three foreign professionals to gauge the feelings.

GVK's pros during their interview with Värnamo Nyheter

Three professionals, two homelands. For Americans Rafdal and Sherman and Brit Dyakiewicz, it has been a big change to move to Sweden

VN sat down with them to hear their thoughts about their new homeland.

How is it to play and live in Sweden and Gislaved?
Lauren Rafdal: It's different. The atmosphere is different. I like that everyone cares. People wonder when our next game is and how it went last time.

Meghan Sherman: It's not a huge amount of people in our age. For us, coming out of college,  where we tend to be surrounded by people of our age, this is really different. Everyone here has a family, either parents or sambo. It makes us miss our own family. When you are at university, the team is your family. Here, everyone has their own family. So if we three aren't together, we spend our time alone.


LR: Everything she said, I agree.

Everyone laughs.

MS: It's pretty tough to mentally keep at it all the time when our whole life revolves around volleyball, and it is not the same for anyone else here.

LR: But that's why we are here, too.

What were your expectations in Sweden before you came here?
MS: I thought that everything would be what you [Swedes] think about Alaska: wilderness and wildlife. And moose, everywhere! I have been here for three years and still have not seen a moose!

LR: I thought it would be more snow. But I have heard that this has been one of the mildest winters you had.
MS: And the Northern Lights ...

LR: Yes! I thought that I would get to see those too.

MS: I was so disappointed.

LR: I thought everyone would be blond with blue eyes too.

Dyakiewicz sits quietly so I turn to her with the same question.

AD: When I came here the first time I thought, "What is this place?". Coming from London to this. But my second year, I was used to it and know what to expect.

MS: I'm from Florida. I lived ten minutes from the beach. I hate to wear socks and shoes. This is the longest time I've worn pants in my life. At home I can sometimes wear shorts at Christmas.

LR: I went to college in the snowiest part of the United States, so I know about snow.

AD: And I went [to university] in Canada so there was a lot of snow too.

Enjoying a day off in Halmstad

What's the oddest you have encountered?
LR: It is strange that everything closes on weekends. It's not the weirdest thing, but it's definitely odd. At home, you can go to any store you want 24 hours a day.

The discussion continues with, among other things, alcohol prices, even if they are reluctant to name just alcohol, and maternity leave.

LR: I'm surprised that you get a year's maternity leave. We get three months. Although not a concern, ha ha. And you get five weeks of vacation. We only get one.

Are you serious?
MS: Yes. Do not move to the US to work.

Everyone laughs again. The discussion continues about including churches and religion before we get into the playoffs waiting. I ask Anna about when they knocked out Engelholm later.

AD: We stuck to the game plan. EVS led with two matches but we won anyway.

Won you not 3-1?
AD: Really? Maybe I'm confused. Haha. But whatever so we were down. When it counted, we managed to beat them.

They look forward meeting Engelholm again.

AD: We were close to them in the last set we played against them at home. It's clear that we just keep better and better.

LR: Playoffs are always exciting. You prepare throughout the season for this final exam, and the playoffs are the exam!

Now we wait to see whether GVK can obtain a maximum score on the test.

Could There Be a Replay?

Gislaved remembers the 2011/12 season very well. Engelholm had only lost one match and was defeated by GVK 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

GVK celebrating their home court win over EVS in 2012

We now await the replay. Engelholm has not lost a single match this season.

"There is no greater challenge in Swedish volleyball right now. On paper, they are a monster team, but all the pressure is on them."

Head coach Dick Runesson does not think that Engelholm chose Gislaved strictly based on the geographical proximity: "Honestly, they chose us because they think they'll beat us easily in 3-straight matches. Then they try to twist it in words about geographically and they match up well against us, but honestly it's just bullshit. They talk already in their local newspaper how nice it will be to have a week off before the semi-finals. Those papers can be used as lighter fluid."

"David and Goliath"
When chosen by the superior series leader, it is easy to develop a "give-up" attitude. But not in Gislaved.

"We have defeated greater giants before. I do not fear them and not the girls either. When we heard [the news] on the bus that they have chosen us, we celebrated. There was a good reaction [from the team]. These girls don't think like everyone else. They try to find challenges in everything. And this is a fantastic challenge we face."

A challenge that will require full focus and an incredibly high level of the game. Something that Runesson realizes. "Our most important key is that we mentally bothered to stick to what we have decided in the game plan. Work to play boring, play consistently and play cynical. It is our biggest challenge."

He has pretty good track of Per-Anders Sääf's team and how they will play.

"I do not think they will offer some surprises with his game. We have found their weaknesses too. Daniel and I will try to convey their weaknesses and focus on it. Their strengths are known by all of Sweden."

Yes, that's very Isabelle Haak huh?

"Yes, and their pros are good."

But it is Isabelle Haak that make the big difference. One advantage Gislaved may have is that they have played in these play-off situations before.

Survival Mode
"Now teams have found their routines with training, but we know that the playoffs is something completely different. We have had to fight a lot more adversity throughout our season. We have continued to become better all the time and take good victories on the way. We have been in our "survival mode" longer than they have been. [That mentality] is not easy to deal with it when you're not used to it. It changes now when all of a sudden you must win. We'll see how they respond to it. They have everything to lose."

HISTORICAL RESULTS: Gislaved vs. Engelholm
10/11: GVK-EVS 0–3 (15–25, 25–27, 20–25), EVS-GVK 3–1 (25–15, 25–14, 20–25, 25–16)
11/12: EVS-GVK 3–0 (25–14, 25–20, 25–23), GVK–EVS 1–3 (12–25, 25–22, 22–25, 12–25)
Slutspel: EVS–GVK 3–0 (25–17, 25–19, 25–13), GVK–EVS 3–2 (25–22, 18–25, 17–25, 25–15, 19–17), EVS–GVK 2–3 (21–25, 21–25, 25–15, 25–19, 9–15), GVK–EVS 3–2 (21–25, 25–14, 28–26, 19–25, 17–15)
12/13: EVS–GVK 3–0 (25–17, 26–24, 25–14), GVK–EVS 3–0 (25–16, 28–26, 27–25).
13/14: EVS–GVK 1–3 (25–22, 20–25, 29–31, 16–25), GVK–EVS 2–3 (25–18, 18–25, 28–26, 21–25, 10–15)
14/15: GVK–EVS 1–3 (11–25, 13–25, 28–26, 15–25), EVS–GVK 3–0 (25–17, 25–15, 25–18), EVS–GVK 3–0 (25–21, 25–20, 25–19), GVK–EVS 0–3 (6–25, 15–25, 26–28) 

Season in Review

At the conclusion of the regular season matches, the top-8 teams head into the Swedish Championship Playoffs (Svensk Mästeskap Slutspel). Each of the three rounds are played best of five matches, alternating home- and away-games, hosted first by the highest regular-season seeded team. Engelholm finished the series undefeated, was given the first opportunity to select their quarterfinal opponent of teams finishing 5-8, and selected to play us. Hylte/Halmstad finished second and chose to play Sollentuna; 3rd-place Lindesberg selected Örebro and Katrineholm will play Svedala.

Before we head into playoffs, I'd like to take an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, and disappointments, that have taken place throughout this roller coaster season.

MATCHES OF THE YEAR

The best match of the season is, without a doubt, the 4-set victory over Lindesberg on January 24 in Gisle Sportcenter. The first meeting between our two squads was one-sided, heavily dominated by Lindesberg’s attack. With a solid month of matches under our belt, and the home-court advantage, we were ready and focused for redemption. The apex of the match came in the 4th set, when Lauren Rafdal’s 15th kill of the match tied us at 18-18. Our two teams traded points back-and-forth, with every GVK player scoring en route to the 26-24 victory, but it was a wide-attack by Lindesberg that eventually sealed the deal.

Elite Result: 24 Jan: Elite-team defeated 3rd-ranked Lindesberg 3-1 at home (25-21, 20-25, 25-20, 26-24)

While that upset marks our best match of the year, the most important match came against Engelholm on November 15. Despite losing the first two sets by large margins (11-25, 13-25), we fought back to give EVS their first set-loss of the season with a 28-26 win in the 3rd. The confidence gained from our performance fueled two-straight wins over RIG Falköping and KFUM Göteborg, and built a foundation that would be utilized as the season continued.

Elite Result: 15 Nov: GVK took one set, which was Engelholm's first set-loss (11-25, 13-25, 28-26, 15-25)

TEAM HIGHS 

Most Points Scored in 3-set Match 48 points vs RIG (2/14/15)
Most Points Scored in 4-set Match 61 points vs Lindesberg (1/24/15)
Most Points Scored in 5-set Match 71 points vs Örebro (12/13/14)

Most Kills in a 3-set Match 34 kills vs RIG (2/14/15)
Most Kills in a 4-set Match 48 kills vs Lindesberg (1/24/15)
Most Kills in a 5-set Match 50 kills vs Örebro (12/13/14)

Hitting Efficiency in a 3-set Match 27% vs RIG (2/14/15) and Svedala (1/10/15)
Hitting Efficiency in a 4-set Match 26% vs Lindesberg (1/24/15)
Hitting Efficiency in a 5-set Match 25% vs Örebro (12/13/14)

Most Aces in a 3-set Match 10 aces vs Göteborg (1/15/15)
Most Aces in a 4-set Match 17 aces vs RIG (11/22/14)
Most Aces in a 5-set Match 10 aces vs Sollentuna (12/20/14)

Serve Receive Efficiency in a 3-set Match 40% vs Svedala (1/10/15)
Serve Receive Efficiency in a 4-set Match 15% vs Lindesberg (1/24/15)
Serve Receive Efficiency in a 5-set Match 24% vs Örebro (12/13/14)

Most Blocks in a 3-set Match 11 blocks vs Göteborg (11/29/14)
Most Blocks in a 4-set Match 9 blocks (2x) vs RIG (11/22/14) and Svedala (12/20/14)
Most Blocks in a 5-set Match 14 blocks vs Örebro (12/13/14)

INDIVIDUAL HIGHS

Lauren Rafdal (left) Sanna Schultz (right)

Most Points Scored in 3-set Match 
Sanna Schultz, 16 points vs EVS 
Most Points Scored in 4-set Match 
Lauren Rafdal, 21 points vs ÖRE
Most Points Scored in 5-set Match 
Lauren Rafdal, 21 points vs ÖRE

Most Kills in a 3-set Match 
L. Rafdal & S. Schultz, 12 kills
Most Kills in a 4-set Match 
Lauren Rafdal, 20 kills vs ÖRE
Most Kills in a 5-set Match 
Lauren Rafdal, 18 kills vs ÖRE



Hitting Efficiency in a 3-set Match Lisa Tannerfalk 60% (6 kills) vs Hylte/Halmstad
Hitting Efficiency in a 4-set Match Lisa Tannerfalk 53% (8 kills) vs RIG Falköping
Hitting Efficiency in a 5-set Match Lisa Tannerfalk 37% (4 kills) vs KFUM Göteborg

Lisa Tannerfalk hit 22% on the season

Most Aces in a 3-set Match Lauren Rafdal, 5 aces vs KFUM Göteborg
Most Aces in a 4-set Match Mikaela Larsson, Emma Petersson & Sanna Schultz, 5 aces vs RIG
Most Aces in a 5-set Match Mikaela Larsson & Sanna Schultz, 3 aces vs Sollentuna

(L to R) Mikaela Larsson, Lauren Rafdal, Sanna Schultz, Emma Petersson

Serve Receive Efficiency in a 3-set Match Amanda Länkinen, 50% (4 matches)
Serve Receive Efficiency in a 4-set Match Sanna Schultz & Meghan Sherman, 20% vs RIG
Serve Receive Efficiency in a 5-set Match Amanda Länkinen, 46% vs Örebro

(L to R) Meghan Sherman, Amanda Länkinen, Sanna Schultz

Most Blocks in a 3-set Match Lisa Tannerfalk, 5 blocks vs KFUM Göteborg
Most Blocks in a 4-set Match Lisa Tannerfalk, 4 blocks vs RIG Falköping
Most Blocks in a 5-set Match Jollan Åkerlund, 6 blocks vs Örebro

Jollan Åkerlund (7) and Lisa Tannerfalk (9) 

The Playoffs Can Come

The playoffs begin next weekend. It's good timing for Gislaved.

FINAL SCORE: Sollentuna 0 - Gislaved 3 (18-25, 22-25, 22-25)

Gislaved deservedly won against Sollentuna on Saturday.

"We were better in all positions. We followed our game plan and attacked at the right places, served at the targeted players. When we do with continuity...when we play good..nah, I'm very pleased."

Gislaved and coach Dick Runesson got the ending to the series that they wanted.

"We've talked about stepping up our game, and we did today."

The team stuck to what they needed to do, not overthinking the match. Piece by piece, they saw victory against Sollentuna.

"We trailed by five points in the third set, but there was never any worry. The girls kept calm and were aggressive when they needed to be."

Calm when they were chasing the lead and stepping up in key points. It sounds like a good combo?

"It was a really good combination. We begin to find situations that work. It looks good."

The playoffs can come.

IMPACT PLAYERS//GISLAVED
Most Points Lauren Rafdal 11 points
Most Kills Lauren Rafdal 11 kills
Most Blocks Jollan Åkerlund 3 blocks
Most Aces 5 players with 1 ace each
MVP Meghan Sherman

IMPACT PLAYERS//SOLLENTUNA
Most Points Whitney Turner 21 points
Most Kills Whitney Turner 15 kills
Most Blocks Whitney Turner & Isabella Falck, 2 blocks each
Most Aces Whitney Turner 4 aces
MVP Whitney Turner

GVK Suffers a 4-set Loss to Örebro

A cynical GVK goes to Örebro

GVK and Örebro have only met each other once this season, and GVK was victorious 3-2. Now Örebro looks for revenge on their home court.

The match was to be played on Saturday, but has now been moved to Sunday, due to the Davis Cup being held in Örebro. This is no problem for Gislaved.

"We have played really good matches against several top teams. There we have learned what to bring to the match against Örebro," says Runesson.

The focus this week has been on the block and defense game. 6th-ranked Örebro has three talented foreign players that they rely on very much.

"[Besides our defense against those players] we have also focused on how we should attack, but there is nothing I reveal. Örebro has an old GVK player in the team."

It is Josephine Tegenfalk as Runesson talking about.

What will be the key to Örebro?

"If we stick to the game plan and be consistent. And maybe a little boring."

Are you saying that GVK play a boring volleyball?

"No, I do not say. But I can say that our game plan is extremely straight forward. We must have patience, attack and serve on our targets, all the time. While we are playing a compact defense game."

Gislaved VK worth one point

But there was a loss against Örebro

Gislaved did a good match, but it was not enough points.

FINAL SCORE: Örebro Gislaved 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23)

"It's a long trip home now. It's always hard to lose when you played well."

Lisa Tannerfalk knows that Gislaved had followed the game plan. In large parts of the match, GVK was able to succeed, especially in the second set.

"It's a shame that we can not keep it all the way."

It was very close that it became a fifth set. In the fourth set, Gislaved fought to tie it 20-20. Then they lost three balls in a row and Örebro went up to 24-21.

"We fought to come back again. With luck, it could have become a five-set match. We did not give up and laid not down even when we were trailing. We fought on."

She continued: "When we dared to go-for-it, we made some really good points. In the end, we slipped on the finish line. We deserved the points but luck was not on our side."

IMPACT PLAYERS
Lauren Rafdal 21 points (20 kills, 1 ace)
Sanna Schultz 11 points (11 kills, 1 ace)
Jollan Åkerlund 8 points (6 blocks, 2 kills)

Gislaved Hopeless Against Series Leader

It was thrilling. The third and final set went to "overtime balls". "We could have had it," says Lisa Tannerfalk.

FINAL SCORE: Gislaved 0 - Engelholm 3 (6-25, 15-25, 26-28)

In terms of the level of the third set, Gislaved VK probably deserved the set-win to extended the match further. But then it was also undefeated Engelholm as the opponent. EVS's dominance was particularly noticeable in the first set, however, it was also Gislaved who looked scared.

"I'll be completely honest and say that this was the worst we have performed this season. They served us out. Our serve reception did not work and the few balls we got up, we missed or so we gave them free balls," says Tannerfalk.

Yes, it was not a pretty sight, the first set. But you played it. The second set went up to a lead of 10-5 and it looked really bright.

But then: "[Engelholm] got a few in-a-row. We had problems with our rotations when their Austrian and their setter served."

The visiting team walked from a 10-5 deficit to win the set 15-25.

But then came the thrilling final set.

The teams kept pace all the way and it was close that Gislaved would take the set at 24-22. But Engelholm caught up. Eventually it would be a GVK loss, with 26-28. An inglorious termination of a climb where GVK was heading for something special.

"Recovering from the first set, I think, is strong. Teams can bury themselves after such performances."

"It is really disappointing when we did not win the third set. We know we can and we were so close! It was extremely important that we stepped it up and that we played tighter in third. It will take a while to get over this, signs of a competitor."

As long as you don't grieve over the loss.

"It will probably take one to two days. We do not have much more time to reflect when it is new match on Sunday. But in the end we should be pleased with our performance today."

IMPACT PLAYERS//GISLAVED: 

Lauren Rafdal (10 kills, 1 block)

Jollan Åkerlund (3 blocks, 1 kill)

Anna Dyakiewicz (2 aces, 1 kill)

Amanda Länkinen (libero) MVP

IMPACT PLAYERS//ENGELHOLM:

Isabelle Haak (18 kills, 3 blocks) MVP

Jen Cross (11 kills, 1 block)

Hannah Allison (5 aces, 3 blocks, 2 kills)

Gislaved Unable to Measure Up

Fantastic playing by Amanda Länkinen was not enough. "We did not rise up to the level that we are capable of" says Gislaved's MVP.

FINAL SCORE: Gislaved 0 - Katrineholm 3 (15-25, 20-25, 17-25)

One hour of play lost in straight sets. So it stood after Katrineholm visited GVK on Saturday. If we look at the pre-match comments, there was no big surprise.

"Katrineholm is a really talented team and we really need to play at our highest level if we are to beat them," says GVK's libero Amanda Länkinen. "I think we [rise to the challenge at] some moments, but not consistently. Overall, it was a little too many offensive errors and that can't happen against the top teams."

Self said, Amanda had a really good effort and held a high standard throughout the match.

"I am satisfied with my effort and my performance feels good. But it's never fun to lose."

Before the playoffs begin, GVK has two more matches against the top teams in the series. Matches that Amanda is looking forward to:

"We have Engelholm and Örebro this upcoming week. These matches are perfect for us to have just before the playoffs starts. [Once playoffs begin] you never know what can happen. If the whole team has a good day, we can beat anyone."

Gislaved's coach Dick Runesson was not entirely happy after the game and agreed that GVK didn't measure up: "You hit the nail on the head," said Dick.

And continues: "We do not do an extremely poor match. We had too many times we gave up simple mistakes while Katrineholm was incredibly stable. Therein lies the difference for us to be able to keep it a really tight match. I had hoped for at least one set win. At the same time, we must be humble. We have already secured the playoffs with five rounds remaining [in the series]. If someone told me that before the season, I would have called that person an idiot. Now we can build up for the playoffs without pressure or stress, so we'll see how far we can go."

IMPACT PLAYERS//GISLAVED: Lauren Rafdal (12 kills), Lisa Tannerfalk (5 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace), Amanda Länkinen (libero) MVP
IMPACT PLAYERS//KATRINEHOLM: Taru Ahlo (7 kills, 2 aces, 1 block), Agne Daunyte (9 kills), Aida Rejzovic (6 kills, 3 blocks), Agne Zakarauskaite-Landin (setter) MVP