PROSECCO DOC IMOCO-CONEGLIANO – BARTOCCINI MC-RESTAURI PERUGIA 3-0
(25-17, 25-23, 25-19)
Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano: Gabi 12, Zhu 8, Seki, Eckl 2, Lubian ne, De Gennaro (L), Haak 12, Wolosz, Adigwe 8, Lanier ne, Lukasik ne, Chirichella 7, Bardaro, Bozza (L) ne. Coach: Santarelli
Bartoccini Mc-Restauri Perugia: Gryka 3, Traballi 6, Sirressi (L), Pecorari 1, Ricci 2, Recchia (L), G. Bartolini ne, B. Bartolini 4, Anchante Peña, Cekulaev 4, Németh 13, Gardini 6, Rastelli, Ungureanu 8. Coach: Giovi
Referees: Cerra and Marigliano
Spectators: 4983
Set Duration: 24′, 28′, 25′
Notes: Service errors Co 6, Pe 14; Aces 3-2; Blocks 6-6
MVP: Wolosz
Last match of the Regular Season at Palaverde before a fiery finale between playoffs and Champions League: Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano (already assured of first place in the league) hosts Bartoccini Mc-Restauri Perugia, the Panthers aim for a clean sweep of victories in A1. The visitors have already secured their safety by defeating Cda Volley Talmassons in the 25th round and sit in 10th place with 25 points. All matches of the final round of the championship are played simultaneously to determine the final standings of the regular season.
Among the Panthers, Sarah Fahr is absent, struck by the flu like most of the yellow-blue squad in the past week: among the call-ups is Gaia Bozza, a libero born in 2010 from the under-16 selection, Valentino Ricci Imoco Volley San Donà. Coach Daniele Santarelli fields the usual diagonal: Asia Wolosz – in her 350th appearance in yellow-blue, sealed with the MVP award at the end – sets for Bella Haak, Gabi and Zhu return as starters, Eckl pairs with Chirichella in the middle, De Gennaro is the libero. For the Black Angels, coach Andrea Giovi opts for the Ricci-Németh diagonal, Traballi and Ungureanu as wingers, Cekulaev and Bartolini as middle blockers, Sirressi as libero.
Prosecco DOC Imoco immediately faces a stubborn opposing defense, the first break comes from superstars Gabi and Zhu with blocks and aces (9-5), an advantage that widens further after a whirlwind from the Brazilian (12-7). Gabi closes the set with an 82% positive reception rate and 75% attack efficiency, finishing the match with 12 points and just 2 attack errors. The other Panther to reach double digits is Haak, also with 12 points like the Brazilian.
The acclaimed Seki-Adigwe duo makes an impact as soon as they step on the court (17-10), then the young opposite blocks for the decisive stretch toward 1-0 on a tricky serve from Bardaro (20-12); Swiss Panthers seal the deal, first set with just one team attack error. It closes at 25-17 thanks to two meteoric strikes from Adigwe (nearly double digits despite not starting, ending with 8 points and 2 blocks).
Zhu’s show secures the first significant lead for Prosecco DOC Imoco in the set (5-2), Gabi doesn’t miss her chance at a block. With Chirichella’s ace (the Princess with no attack errors in the match) and Haak’s attack (team’s top scorer in the set with 5 points), the Panthers open a gap (15-11), but the second set hangs in the balance: a magical move from Gabi makes it 21-20, Eckl blocks to deliver set point, immediately capitalized on by an attack error from the visitors (25-23).
It’s always Gabi in the spotlight with her delectable block-attack formula (8-7), Haak unleashes fire from position 2 (11-8), Chirichella remains hot from 9 meters (16-13). Adigwe has her usual explosive impact (19-14), the Panthers see the finish line nearing and don’t relent: first Gabi, then Merit again, Prosecco DOC Imoco seals the deal 3-0 with a 25-19 in the final set.
With their 26th victory, Prosecco DOC Imoco has won every match available in the regular season, just as they did last season and in 2020/21. Tonight’s success also contributes to achieving the record highest points total in club history, 77 compared to 75 in 2023/24.
But there’s no time to rest for the Panthers: Wednesday, March 5 at 8:30 PM, they face an away match against Resovia, valid for the CEV Champions League quarterfinal first leg, while Sunday, March 9 at 4:00 PM at Palaverde, it’s game 1 of the Serie A1 playoff quarterfinals. The Panthers will take on Bergamo, eighth in the regular season standings.
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(Photos M. Gregolin)