First full success of the season for Rana Verona as they close the match in three sets against the newly promoted Grottazzolina and rose to 5 points in the standings after the first three days of SuperLega.At PalaSavelli in Porto San Giorgio, Coach Stoytchev’s team breaks the deadlock, then suffers the comeback of their opponents, but takes the lead to 2-0, before sealing the result in a third set dominated. Keita once again took the stage as part of the starting six and delivered an impressive performance, scoring 22 points and making 3 winning blocks. Dzavoronok and Abaev played crucial roles from nine meters, each landing 3 aces. We will return to Pala AGSM AIM on Sunday, October 20th at 16:00 for the challenge in Civitanova.
In the starting lineup, Coach Stoytchev confirms the Abaev-Jensen diagonal, with Dzavoronok and the new Keita on the wing, the Vitelli-Cortesia pair in the center and D’Amico as libero. The match opens with a punctual first time by Cortesia. Keita warms up his hands and with a millimeter serve finds the ace for +3 (2-5). Abaev maintains an advantage by using the same weapon (5-8). The hosts’ attempt to recover is dampened by the monster block printed by Vitelli (8-12). Demanyenko closes and Tatarov grabs the equalizer with an attack from position four (16-16). Dzavoronok strings an effective series of serves (an ace) and allows his team to extend to 16-21. Verona remains ahead and closes the first set with Abaev’s block (19-25).
It was an identical start to the second set, with Cortesia launching an attack from position three. The local troops, however, react promptly with two aces in a row signed by Cvanciger (3-2). The Scaligeri respond with the same coin and bring the challenge back into balance thanks to Jensen’s serves (5-5). The game is point by point, with Dzavoronok who signs the mani-out of 10-10, before the Marche wall gains the double advantage (13-11). Keita reboots his team with a close-range shot at a diagonal angle, scoring 15-13. The new entry Sani chooses the long line and Verona regains confidence. Abaev holds the turn in service, Keita smashes hard, then Dzavoronok unleashes all his power from nine meters, with two aces that send the guests to 19-20. Tatarov stamps the block of the tie (22-22), Sani finds the set point with an ace and Keita seals the fraction in attack (23-25).
Balance also at the beginning of the third set, which Abaev tries to break with a great ace that surprises the opposing second line, after the cunning touch of Dzavoronok (5-6). Keita lets go of his arm, first with the pipe and then from position four, keeping his team ahead in the score. Sani separates the opponents with a deceptive trajectory from nine meters that lands twice in the conflict zone (8-13). Vitelli’s block extends Verona’s lead, prompting Ortenzi to call a time-out at 10-16. Abave confirms his decisiveness in serving, with a long series that gives the Scaligeri a gap of nine lengths, thanks to the monster block of Zingel (11-20). Keita uses the same weapon and virtually closes the match, which ends with the locals’ error in serving.
SCORESHEET
Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina-Rana Verona 0-3 (19-25; 23-25; 15-25)
Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina: Zhukouski, Antonov 6, Vecchi, Demyanenko 10, Marchisio (L), Mattei 4, Comparoni, Petkovic, Marchiani, Cvanciger 11, Tatarov 7, Schalk 1, Cubito (L). Coach Ortenzi. Rana Verona: Abaev 5, Jensen 1, Dzavoronok 10, Keita 22, Cortesia 3, Vitelli 4, D’Amico (L), Spirito, Mozic, Sani 6, Chevalier, Zingel 4, Zanotti, Bonisoli (L). All. Stoytchev
Referees: Simbari (1st), Serafin (2nd), Marotta (3rd)
Videocheck Officer: Perotti
Set duration: 31’; 31’; 25’; total: 1h27’
Attack: Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 42%; Rana Verona 58%
Reception: Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 36%; Rana Verona 45%
Blocks: Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 4; Rana Verona 6
Aces: Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina 5; Rana Verona 11
Spectators: 1415
MVP: Noumory Keita
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