WHAT A BATTLE AT THE PALA AGSM AIM: RANA VERONA KNOCKS OUT CISTERNA IN THE TIE-BREAK

Sweating until the last exchange: Rana Verona unlocks its championship at the end of an exciting challenge in the first home game against Cisterna Volley and collects the first points of the season. Trailing in the score, the Scaligeri find a prompt reaction and restore balance to the game. The Pontini come back on top, but Coach Stoytchev’s team dominates in the fourth and dragged by a possessed Keita, MVP with 28 points scored, wins the match in the tie-break. Jensen (15) and Dzavoronok (13) also in double figures, with Abaev and Vitelli capable of printing two winning blocks each. Verona will visit Grottazzolina in the third match on Saturday 12 October at 8:30 pm.

In the starting lineup, Coach Stoytchev confirms the Perugia team with Abaev and Jensen in the diagonal position, Dzavoronok and Sani on the wing, and Vitelli and Cortesia in the center of the net, with D’Amico as libero. Faure made two passes at the start, but Cortesia’s first-time hit and Jensen’s diagonal interrupted the guests’ series. However, the guests found a decent gap with the ace of the French opposite hitter (3-7). Ramon’s ace and Baranowicz’s block increased the advantage, which Sani tried to reduce with a pipe at 7-13. To reverse the trend, the Veronese coach inserted Keita. Cortesia’s ace followed Vitelli’s monster block, and Verona rose again (11-15). Cisterna maintained the distance, with the locals leading 17-20. The Lazio troops remained lucid until the end, and with Faure’s cross-shot, they won the match (20-25).

Keita’s lob opens the second set and the Scaligeri approach is better than at the beginning. Jensen finds the corner at the intersection of the lines, but the white and blues prevent Verona from running away (6-6). With the award-winning Abaev-Jensen partnership, the men in the blue jersey go up by two (10-8). The home team finds continuity and confidence on the court, with Abaev who puts his signature from nine meters for 15-11. Dzavoronok is no exception and with the same weapon, he does just as much damage to the opposing rearguard, bringing his team to 17-12. Keita plays well with the hands of the wall and puts the ball on the ground for 19-14. Abaev’s wall unleashes the applause of the building and a missile from Jensen for 23-17. Bayram cancels the first Verona set point at the end of a long action, but Cortesia seals the set from position three (25-18).

Cisterna doesn’t feel the blow of the hosts’ comeback and starts the third set with the right attitude. The Pontini try to escape, always dragged by Faure, but first Keita from position four, then Jensen crossing on the sideline gives new life to the Scaligeri (8-10). Verona climbs back up and gets close to the opposing team, but Cisterna takes back the reins of the match and with Ramon’s block they extend to 13-17. After the time-out called by Stoytchev, the new entrant Zingel sounds the charge with the ace of the minus three (15-18). Three-man block by the guests that pushes them ahead again, Verona responds with the point on Jensen’s service, which keeps his team afloat, as does Keita’s pipe (19-22). Jensen cancels the set ball, but Ramon stamps the attack of 21-25.

Jensen starts the fourth set, the white and blues reply, but Keita finds the right opening from nine meters, then unleashes all his power also from the second line for the 6-3. The pace intensifies on the taraflex of the sports hall and Verona benefits from it. Superblock by Zingel that raises the decibels of the crowd, incited by the ace of the caliber of Abaev that is worth 11-4. Two missiles by Keita extend Zingel’s series in service (16-7). The Scaligeri are lucid and precise and also Vitelli is incisive in the center with two first times worthy of applause (19-10). Dzavoronok pushes hard in service and scores the ace, Keita collects a free ball delivered by the guests and virtually closes the set. And it is Vitelli who puts his stamp on the set with a great block (25-14).

Mazzone’s attack is wrong at the start of the tie-break, with Keita taking advantage of Abaev’s suggestion (2-0). The Malian chooses the soft touch for 4-1, but Cisterna returns and restores the balance (4-4). Abaev raises his voice at the wall for +2 (7-5). At the change of sides, Verona is ahead by two lengths, Keita takes the team on his shoulders and thanks to an invasion of the net, the Scaligeri fly to 12-9. The contest ends with Keita’s hand out on 15-13).

SCORESHEET

Rana Verona-Cisterna Volley 3–2 (20-25; 25-18; 21-25; 25-14; 15-13)

Rana Verona: Abaev 4, Jensen 15, Dzavoronok 13, Sani 1, Cortesia 4, Vitelli 4, D’Amico (L), Spirito, Keita 28, Mozic, Chevalier, Zingel 6, Zanotti, Bonisoli (L). Coach Stoytchev

Cisterna Volley: Baranowicz 2, Faure 23, Bayram 14, Ramon 23, Nedeljkovic 6, Diamantini 3, Pace (L), Fanizza, Tarumi, Rivas 1, Czerwinski, Mazzone 1, Tosti, Finauri. All. Falasca

Referees: Piana (1st), Cerra (2nd), Lambertini (3rd)

Videocheck Officer: Mischi

Set duration: 29’; 30’ ; 28’; 23’; 20’; total: 2h10’

Attack: Rana Verona 54%; Cisterna Volley 52%

Reception: Rana Verona 58%; Cisterna Volley 36%

Blocks: Rana Verona 5; Cisterna Volley 7

Aces: Rana Verona 9; Cisterna Volley 6

MVP: Noumory Keita

Spectators: 2581

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