PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO – TRUE VOLLEYBALL MILAN 2-3
(21-25,25-14,25-20,25-27,13-15)
Imoco Prosecco DOC: Wolosz 3, Haak 24, Plummer 28, Robinson Cook 12, Fahr 13, Lubian 13, De Gennaro, Squarcini ne, Gennari, De Kruijf 1, Gray ne, Carraro ne, Pericati , Bardaro ne. All. Santarelli
True Volleyball: Orro 3, Thompson 28, Larson 9, Sylla 10, Folie 8, Stevanovic 7, Parochial, Davyskiba, Begic 3, Rettke, Negretti, Stysiak 1, Candi 1, Allard ne. All. Gaspari
Referees: Braico e Puecher
Spectators: 5344 (sold out)
Duration set: 29′,26′,27′,33′,21′
Note: bar errors Co 15, Mi 6; Aces: 3-5 ; Walls: 12-7
MVP: Thompson
Palaverde still sold out for the third act of the championship final between the Panthers of Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano and Vero Volley Monza. In the “watershed” match of the series that assigns the Italian flag, after another hard battle between two teams that are offering a profusion of entertainment and emotions, the final success went to the guests, who were good at bringing the match back to their side in the final. Saturday evening in Monza (9.25 pm, live on Rai 2 and Sky Sport) will have the first “match ball” for the Scudetto.
Starting sextets without variations for Conegliano, with coach Santarelli lining up Lubian and Fahr in the center, spikers Robinson Cook and Plummer with Wolosz-Haak setter-opposite and libero De Gennaro. Coach Gaspari, ex who was on the gialloblù bench on the occasion of the first final played by the Veneto club in 2013, confirms his sextet with Orro-Thompson, Stevanovic with the ex Folie in the center, the other ex Sylla in the band (MVP of match 2 ) with Larson, free parish.
Driven by the umpteenth “sold out” from Palaverde, the Panthers start very strong with Haak and Plummer effective from the second row (4-1), but Thompson and her teammates always prove to be compact and hook up quickly, crafting a counterbreak (6-1) which keep guests 5-7 going. Vero Volley holds the two points lead until the central phase of the set, until the draw 13-13 obtained by Haak with a broadside from him. The partial is very balanced, Larson tries to break it in the serve (aces for 16-17), but the Prosecco DOC Imoco despite a few mistakes in the serve too many (6 in the set with zero aces) remains in the running thanks to a precise Plummer ( 7 points in the set with 70%).
Thompson again, usual thorn in the side of the gialloblù wall (10 points in the set!), with the collaboration of an energetic Sylla signs the guest extension (17-20). Coach Santarelli time out. Isabelle Haak tries with her power and Conegliano gets closer (20-21), Pericati is also on the field to shore up the “rice”. Continuity, however, is not the Panthers’ favorite ingredient in this final and a couple of uncertainties give just as many points to an aggressive Vero Volley and Conegliano concedes: 20-24. The final rewards the visiting team which imposes itself 21-25.
Also in the second set the best start is that of the Gialloblù Panthers (6-3) who try to react immediately dragged by the enthusiasm of a charged Palaverde. Lubian and Haak in attack make their big voice in attack, then there is also the first ace of the landlords signed by the Swedish champion and an “embroidery” by Kelsey Robinson for 10-6 that inflames the crowd. After the time out of the Brianzas, Robinson Cook scores again for +5 until Larson’s experience breaks the break of the Venetians.
The inertia of the set, however, seems to be on the side of Prosecco DOC Imoco who play with ardor, Sarah Fahr is perfectly primed by captain Wolosz, three shots from the blue central and a clever shot from Bella Haak send the Panthers to flight: 16-9. Palaverde explodes on the stellar defenses of Monica De Gennaroe on the ever faster lifts of Asia Wolosz which change gears compared to the first set: 18-9 the further extension. Coach Gaspari tries with the elements of the bench (Stysiak, Daviskyba, Rettke), but it’s not enough because the Panthers have taken the right path and don’t want to stop.
Fahr (4 points in the set), the great protagonist of the partial, also goes wild against the block, then Marina Lubian scores and with the energy of her young centre-backs the Panthers spread (22-12). Prosecco DOC Imoco reaches parity by conquering a “roll” set for 25-14 with the final point of Kat Plummer (5 in the set) against the block.
The third set begins with great balance in a Palaverde lit for battle. Conegliano’s block-defense continues to be effective and an aggressive Imoco starts to push (4-2). Even Haak, well contained by the guests in the first two partials, grows in efficiency, also taking advantage of a greater freedom due to the variations of Wolosz who alternates well openings and play in the center (still good for Fahr). However, Vero Volley proves to be a very tough nut to crack, Orro and teammates fight for every ball and the match returns to balanced tracks: 10-10.
The game is beautiful, Wolosz with a reception that works thanks to the performances of the De Gennaro-Robinson Cook-Pericati trio, continues to feed his power plants, Lubian scores, then comes the minibreak with Thompson’s invasion (18-16 ) and the Gialloblù fans make themselves heard. The Imoco Prosecco DOC has found its rhythm and does not stop, a millimeter lob by Isabelle Haak (10 points in the set with 2 blocks!) for +3 (20-17) which forces Milan to time out. Palaverde turns all yellow on Fahr’s wall for 21-18. Every action is now a bullfight, Plummer solves the point of 22-19 with a slingshot, then Fahr again courageously for 23-20. The momentum is the right one, Lubian hits the winning block twice in a row (4 team blocks in the set) and the 25-20 closing rewards the Panthers who overtake 2-1.
The fourth set begins in a bedlam dantesc enthusiasm skyrocketing for the rescue of the Panthers who start at a good pace. Robison Cook brings Imoco up 1-0, but Vero Volley is no different. Prosecco DOC Imoco with its plants in great shape finds the wall (Lubian) of 5-3. Larson and Folie respond blow by blow, the American MVP of the last Olympics signs the overtaking (7-8) of the guests with a “hands out”. Milan wants the tie break and pushes to the max, Sylla finds the right opening in the counterattack and Vero Volley goes up to +3 (9-12), time out by coach Santarelli.
Very delicate phase of the match, Kat Plummer signs the -2 (11-13), but Thomposon is implacable and the guests keep the +3. Prosecco DOC Imoco tries to replicate and with great grit gets closer to -1 with the broadside of a very concrete Plummer (16-17). The draw goes to Haak, then again the block explodes Palaverde for the overtaking of a Prosecco DOC Imoco who takes over the partial with a lot of heart and unexpected energy. Two “monster blocks” of the Panthers in a “rosé” version are given away on 20-18 and there is another time out for the guests.
There is still fighting, De Kruijf is there with Gennari on the field for the excited final stages, Haak scores on 23-21, Thompson however shortens, Milan doesn’t give up and tension skyrockets. One of the rare mistakes in attack for Conegliano arrives in the set (3) and it’s equal again at 23, this time it’s coach Santarelli who asks for a time out. Robin De Kruijf with his fast puts it 24-23, but Folie equalizes the score by canceling the match ball from the center. Larson serves and places an important ace, but Haak immediately cancels the set point. At the second attempt Milan closes with the ace from Candi who mocks Palaverde. 25-27 and as in game 1 we go to the tie break.
The gialloblù disappointment for the closure of the fourth set has repercussions on the beginning of the fifth, Larson continues from where he left off and takes over the operations: 1-3. The guests defend everything with Orro and Parrocchiale, but Fahr’s wall keeps the Panthers alive, then Lubian shoots strong in serve: 4-4. De Gennaro and his companions seem to be back on track and are traveling arm in arm (7-7). There is also Pericati on the pitch to try and turn up the volume of the defence, Moki De Gennaro takes advantage of it and works wonders, but first Lubian and then Haak make mistakes in attack and Milan thanks them for the double advantage (8-10). Lubian immediately redeems herself with a good fast, but Sylla and her companions keep the edge. However, the heart of the Panthers is great, Moki defends, Lubian and Plummer score for -1 (11-12) and there is pandemonium at the Palaverde. Thompson however is glacial and signs on 11-13, Milan sees the finish line on 11-14. The last heroic resistance of the Panthers who cancel two match points goes out on the final attack of Thompson (MVP of the match) for the 13-15 which delivers the 2-1 advantage in the series to Vero Volley.
Saturday evening (race starts at 21.25) the fourth episode of the series at the Monza Arena, which will be decisive: if Milan wins it will be able to celebrate its first tricolor, if instead Conegliano wins the score would be even and race 5 would therefore be necessary on Monday Palaverde to establish the 2023 Italian Champion squad.
INTERVIEWS AND PHOTO ALBUMS ON THE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES OF IMOCO VOLLEYBALL
(Photo by M. Gregolin)
THE MVP OF RACE 3 WAS JORDAM THOMPSON, AWARDED AT THE END OF THE RACE BY SORELLE BRONCA, SPONSOR OF IMOCO VOLLEYBALL
