In what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling matches of the PlusLiga season, Slepsk Malow Suwalki produced a remarkable comeback to defeat ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle 3-2 on Tuesday night, with Brazilian star Henrique Honorato delivering the decisive blows in a dramatic fifth-set tiebreak.
The match, which opened the 21st round of Poland's premier volleyball league, appeared to be heading for a routine ZAKSA victory after the visitors dominated the opening two sets. Andrea Giani's side, powered by the formidable Kamil Rychlicki, swept through the first set 25-23 and then crushed Slepsk 25-15 in the second, leaving the home fans at the Suwalki arena fearing the worst.
But Dominik Kwapisiewicz's team had other plans. The third set marked the beginning of an extraordinary turnaround, with the hosts finding their rhythm and claiming it 25-21. Energized by the shifting momentum, Slepsk continued their resurgence in the fourth set, winning 25-19 to force a decisive tiebreak.
The fifth set proved to be a nerve-shredding affair, with neither side willing to concede. The lead changed hands multiple times as both teams traded powerful attacks and crucial defensive plays. With the score deadlocked and tension reaching fever pitch, it was Honorato who stepped up when his team needed him most.
The Brazilian opposite, who had been building his form throughout the match, delivered two consecutive aces that left the ZAKSA defense helpless, sealing a 21-19 victory and sending the home crowd into raptures.
Honorato's overall performance was nothing short of sensational. The MVP of the match finished with 23 points, attacking at an impressive 52 percent success rate while adding 6 aces and 2 blocks to his tally. His clutch serving in the final moments demonstrated the kind of composure that separates good players from match-winners.
Slepsk's Bartosz Filipiak was equally influential, leading all scorers on the home side with 26 points. The Polish outside hitter provided consistent offense throughout the match, particularly during the crucial third and fourth sets when the comeback was gaining momentum.
For ZAKSA, Rychlicki was once again their standout performer, accumulating 30 points despite being on the losing side. The Luxembourg international did everything possible to drag his team across the finish line, but ultimately found himself without support when it mattered most. Rafal Szymura contributed 15 points in the losing effort.
The result represents a significant blow to ZAKSA's ambitions in the league standings while providing a vital confidence boost for Slepsk Malow Suwalki. For Giani's men, it was another tiebreak setback that will raise questions about their ability to close out matches when they hold commanding leads.
The victory showcases the unpredictable nature of volleyball at the highest level, where momentum can shift dramatically and individual brilliance can turn apparent defeat into memorable triumph. For Honorato and Slepsk, this will be a night they remember for years to come.
Volleyball
Henrique Honorato's Heroic Aces Seal Dramatic Comeback as Slepsk Stuns ZAKSA in PlusLiga Thriller
📅 Published on February 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM