Match Summary and Final Score of the 22nd Round of A1
PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO-NUMIA MILANO 3-0
(25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
Prosecco DOC Imoco: Gabi 11, Zhu dn, De Gennaro, Haak 12, Wolosz, Lukasik dn, Chirichella 4, Fahr 2, Bardaro dn, Adigwe, Lanier 9, Seki, Eckl, Lubian 14. Coach: Santarelli
Numia Milano: Da Pos dn, Egonu 11, Kurtagic 2, Danesi 2, Sylla 7, Cazaute, Daalderop 5, Fukudome dn, Pietrini 2, Kostantinidou, Smrek, Heyrman 4, Guidi dn, Gelin. Coach: Lavarini
Referees: Piana and Cavaliero
Attendance: 5344 (sold out)
Set Duration: 23′, 27′, 27′
Notes: Serving errors Co 12, Mi 11; Aces: 4-0; Blocks: 5-3
MVP: Lubian
Palaverde was decked out for the 22nd matchday of the championship, celebrating the star-studded encounter between the Panteras of Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano and their challengers, Numia Vero Volley Milano. Only three days after the Italian Cup battle in Bologna, the two juggernauts faced each other again in front of an exceptional crowd for a match that lived up to the hype.
In the end, the Italian champions secured their 37th seasonal victory out of 37 matches played, and for the fifth time in as many seasonal clashes with Milano, the result favored the Panteras, who are increasingly dominating the season.
After the exertions of the Italian Cup, there were some changes in the starting line-ups: Coach Santarelli lined up Wolosz-Haak, Lubian-Fahr, Lanier-Gabi, libero De Gennaro; Numia, with Orro not at her best, started with Kostantinidou-Egonu, Danesi-Kurtagic, Sylla-Daalderop, libero Gelin.
The first set was dominated by the home Panteras, who, amidst the overwhelming enthusiasm of Palaverde, put on a show and entertained the audience. After an ephemeral 2-4 lead for the visitors at the start, the set became a monologue for the Italian champions, who ramped up with strong defensive energy and attacks from Lanier and Haak (5 points each with very high percentages) and Olympian Lubian (4). Fahr started with blocks and an excellent serving run (8-4), then with aggressive serving and a lively game like Prosecco DOC, Wolosz and her teammates upped the pace to the maximum lead (21-11).
Numia made the score slightly less bitter with a late rally in the first set, which only served to make the gap more acceptable: 25-17, with the concluding ace from a sparkling Lubian (100% attack in the set). In the second set, Coach Santarelli substituted Chirichella for Fahr, who had suffered a hand injury. Star player Gabi, after a calm first set (1 point), took center stage, showcasing exceptional plays and leading the home team (9-6). Haak shone not only in attack but also in blocks, keeping Prosecco DOC Imoco ahead, then the Swedish player set Palaverde alight with an ace at 17-12. Coach Lavarini called a timeout, but on return, an excellent Khalia Lanier blocked Egonu, and the break started to look worrying for the visitors: 18-12. Numia, being a team of class, launched a comeback with attacks from Egonu (5 in the set) and Sylla, making it somewhat close at 23-21, but first Lubian (6 points in the set, again 100% in attack with 2 blocks) and then Haak with a block ended the set to the delight of the fervent yellow-blue fans: 25-21.
In the third set, the first break was again for the yellow-blue battleship (8-5). Marina Lubian was on fire (she would be the match MVP with 14 points, 2 aces, 3 blocks, and a 90% attack efficiency!) and continued to hammer away, even from serve, with the help of Lanier and Haak, extending the lead (17-12) while Numia seemed to give up prematurely against the Venetian dominance. Chirichella also contributed with quick attacks to maintain the Prosecco DOC Imoco’s lead; Coach Lavarini called his second timeout at 19-12, but by now, the Panteras, driven by the enthusiasm of Palaverde, had hit an unstoppable rhythm. Gabi made use of passes from captain Wolosz, Moki De Gennaro kept the team focused on the final goal, and for Conegliano, it was simple to maintain the lead and close the match in style: 25-16, and once again, Coach Santarelli’s team delivered on their promise and held high the scepter as the queens of the league. It was another celebration at Palaverde with Prosecco DOC Imoco, securing the first place in the Regular Season with their 37th victory out of 37 games, four rounds in advance.
After this second victory in a few days against Numia, the Panteras will have another big test away on Sunday on the court of Novara, for another top clash with Igor in the 23rd round of A1.
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(Photos by M.Gregolin)