Good first in the group stage of the Play Offs 5th place for WithU Verona, which comfortably beats Pallavolo Padova 3 to 0 within the friendly walls. For the third time this season the Veneto derby speaks Veronese, after the two successes obtained in Regular Season. Coach Stoytchev’s team thus conquers the first three points of this Poule, led by the three offensive tenors Sapozhkov, Keita and Mozic, authors of 16, 15 and 13 points respectively. The MVP award, however, was awarded to the libero Marco Gaggini, who unleashed yet another test of sacrifice to protect his defense. Next appointment scheduled for Saturday 22 April at 7.30 pm on the Sir Safety Susa Perugia field.
FIRST SET
In the starting sextet, coach Stoytchev confirms Spirito in the control room, with Sapozhkov completing the diagonal. In the band space for the couple formed by Mozic and Keita, with Cortesia and Grozdanov in the center. The libero, on the other hand, is Gaggini. The match opens with the guests’ first point, then Keita takes care of overturning the score with a winning pipe (2-1). The bianconeri get back on track thanks to the ace stamped by Guzzo, but Mozic picks up the pace and sends his team up by two (5-3). Padua puts the challenge back in balance, but Verona finds continuity and takes off. A cunning play by Keita gives the Scala +5, who increase the advantage with a soft touch of Courtesy from place three (13-7). The centre-back from Treviso also had an impact with a first half that scored 16-10 in favor of the hosts. Mozic puts in a good series of serves, then WithU virtually closes the set with a big three-way block (22-15). It is Spirito who puts the seal with a second touch which sets the score at 25-17.
SECOND SET
Back on the pitch, Verona took advantage of the positive wave and moved up 3 to 1. Sapozhkov responded to the opponents’ recovery attempt, who first placed the ball along the sideline and then blocked Gardini against the block. Padova doesn’t give up, finds parity, but the local troops put their face back with another monster block (7-5). Then Keita also takes the chair, signing for two consecutive times, allowing his team to increase the gap (10-7). Takahashi tries to give him a jolt from the second row, slightly shortening the distance (12-8). After the perfect understanding between Spirito and Sapozhkov, Keita is assisted by luck from nine meters, finding an ace for 17-8. The Malian drives the black and white rearguard crazy in batting and with an incredible series, topped off by two other mind-boggling aces (21-8). Padua accuses the blow and the furrow becomes unbridgeable. Mozic closes the accounts, who plays well with the hands of the block (25-11).
THIRD SET
The music doesn’t change even in the third fraction, where Verona immediately creates a consistent lead (4-1). Padova, however, rises again and first evens the score, then reverses the trend with the usual Takahashi (4-5). Stoytchev’s band raises its voice against the block and puts the match back on more favorable tracks (5-7). The two teams respond blow by blow and with a large pipe Takahashi finds the new parity (9-9). The Paduans pass forward, then Cortesia puts an end to a prolonged action with a winning first half (11-12) before Mozic equals. It is played point to point, with Keita trying to break the balance with a shot from him (16-15). There is also room for Zanotti, who with the flot serve creates some problems for the Paduan defense, with Mozic closing the point (20-18). Gardini stamps the ace which is worth 23-23, then the final signature is from Keita which closes the games on 25-23.
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