Rana Verona’s pre-season started off well, winning the Venetian derby with Pallavolo Padova 3-1 at the Kioene Arena. The Scaliger team, with reduced ranks due to the national team commitments, immediately shows a good condition and gives positive signals in view of the next friendly matches. Dzavoronok, a few days after his arrival, finished as the best scorer thanks to 16 points on the scoresheet. Truhtchev (13) and Sani (10) also scored in double figures. Overall, the Veronese team scored 8 aces and 6 blocks.
For the first outing of the preseason Coach Stoytchev has Spirit as director and Sani as opposite, while in the squad there is room for the new additions Truhtchev and Dzavoronok. The central defenders are Zanotti and Zingel, with D’Amico libero.
Despite the intense workloads of this period, the two teams created interesting exchanges right from the start. There are already signs of understanding between Spirito and hitters. Down in the score, the Scaligeri recover also thanks to Dzavoronok’s ace and Zanotti’s winning block, unlocking the match. Good rhythms also upon returning to the field and Verona detaches the opponents with the monster block of the Czech former Trento player. At the end of the set the balance returns, but Truhtchev closes the score with a precise long shot. The Frenchman also got a good start in the next half, hitting two aces in a row. In attack he and Dzavoronok put the Juventus rearguard in difficulty, both from the first and second lines, and put Verona 3-0 up. Jovovic, Bonisoli and the aggregate Batista also find the field in the additional set. The home team reacted with pride and sweetened the afternoon by setting the result at 3-1 in favor of Stoytchev’s team.
Scoreboard
Volleyball Padova – Rana Verona 1-3 (22-25; 24-26; 21-25; 25-19)
Padua Volleyball: Zoppellari, Fusaro 1, Gardini 11, Garcia 12, Guzzo 10, Cardenas 25, Porro 8, Russo (L), Truocchio 2, Crosato 4, Falaschi, Taniguchi (L). All. Cuttini
Rana Verona: Spirito 2, Sani 10, Dzavoronok 16, Truhtchev 13, Zanotti 6, Zingel 5, D’Amico (L), Batista 2, Jovovic, Keita, Bonisoli (L). All. Stoytchev
Set duration: 25′; 29′; 25′; 26′; 1h 45′
Attack: Padua Volleyball 50%; Rana Verona 43%
Walls: Volleyball Padova 5; Rana Verona 6
Ace: Volleyball Padova 6; Rana Verona 8