Score and report 4th Day Group A Champions League
A.CARRARO IMOCO CONEGLIANO-MARITZA PLOVDIV 3-0
(25-18,25-12,25-19)
A.Carraro Imoco: Gabi 5 ,De Gennaro ne, Haak 19, Zhu 10, Wolosz 2, Lanier ne, Lukasik ne, Chirichella 8, Fahr 10, Lubian ne, Bardaro, Adigwe ne, Seki ne, Eckl ne. All.Santarelli Maritza Plovdiv: Todorova ne, Agbortabi 3, Slavcheva 1, Emilova ne, Hristoskova, Guncheva, Doshkova ne, Koeva 6, Pashkuleva, Saykova 6, Borisova, Angelova 1, Dudova 18, Nikolova ne. All.Ersimsek
Referees: Cambré (Bel) and Simonovic (Svi)
Spectators: 3,380 Duration set: 21′,19′,22′ Notes: Batting errors Co 7,Pl 11; Aces: 5-4 ;Walls: 11-2
MVP: Chirichella
First return match of the Champions round against the Bulgarian Plovdiv, fourth win out of four in Europe and also last match-test for the Veneto troop before departure Saturday, destination China where the Panthers will face their fourth Club World Cup next week.
Coach Santarelli’s sextet with Wolosz-Haak, Fahr-Chirichella, Gabi-Zhu, libero Bardaro; the Bulgarian champions respond with Slavcheva-Dudova, Nikolova-Saykova, Agbortabi-Koeva, libero Pashkuleva.
In the first set there is a long study phase with the two teams competing for the lead, Plovdiv fights on every ball until 13-12, then comes the breakaway the flashes of the Gialloblù stars (today in red Antonio Carraro outfit) with Zhu and Gabi in evidence at full court and the “usual” Bella Haak in European version (8 points in the set): 17-13. The first breakthrough by Wolosz and her teammates is enough to break down the Bulgarian dam, the talented Dudova (5 points) tries to limit the damage, but it is not enough and Chirichella’s fast decrees the 25-18 that closes the hostilities in the first partial.
In the second set A.Carraro Imoco’s start is much more intense, Haak continues to rage in attack and with her the feats of Fahr (attack) and Chirichella (wall) allow Conegliano to immediately take a good margin (9-5). Gabi also joins the party and closes a spectacular action for 14-9, coach Ersimek calls time out. The Panthers, however, do not stop, Haak continues to hammer, Chirichella and Fahr (10 points at the end for her) man the middle well (11 points and 4 walls between the two in the set), Gabi and Zhu have fun on the assists of captain Wolosz, with Anna Bardaro keeping a good watch. The partial ended with a peremptory 25-12 for A.Carraro Imoco with the final blow from Zhu Ting, capable of a 6-point set with 86% attack.
Third set with a fleeting moment of glory for Plovdiv advancing 1-3, then a long serve by a very inspired Zhu Ting (10 points) brings A.Carraro Imoco ahead in the score. Asia Wolosz under the net puts down the first double advantage (10-8). There is a moment of balance with Koeva and her teammates trying to keep the match alive, but the in-form Panthers-World Cup do not want to discount: Chirichella walls, Zhu finds good shots and A.Carraro Imoco upping the pace finds no obstacles, 15-11.
The home team continues to play well and have fun despite the valid resistance of the Bulgarians, now it’s Haak’s turn (top scorer with 19 points) who unhinges the opponent’s reception with her serves, hers the 18-14 ace. The final catwalk is all for A.Carraro Imoco Conegliano, which exits to the applause of the Palaverde crowd for its 15th consecutive Champions League victory. And now on with the World Cup!
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(Photo M.Gregolin)