Table and Chronicle 7th Day Series A1
REALE MUTUA FENERA CHIERI-PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CONEGLIANO 1-3
(16-25,23-25,25-23,21-25)
Reale Mutua: Van Aalen 5, Gicquel 20, Gray 8, Alberti 4, Skinner 15, Bujis 2, Spirito, Anthouli ne, Rolando, Carletti ne, Lyashko, Omoruyi 10, Zakchaiou 3. All. Bregoli; Prosecco DOC Imoco: Gabi 12, Chirichella 12, Fahr 9, Zhu 14, De Gennaro, Haak 20, Wolosz 2, Adigwe 2, Lanier ne, Lukasik,Seki, Eckl ne, Lubian ne, Bardaro ne. All. Santarelli
Referees: Brancati and Brunelli
Spectators: 1501 (sold out)
Set duration: 26′,26′,27′,29′
Notes: Batting errors Co 12,Ch 15; Aces: 1-2; Walls: 10-13
MVP: Fahr
A trip to Piedmont under the spotlight of Rai Due for the Panthers of Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano, who after the positive debut in Champions on Thursday faced today one of the “bigs” of the championship, Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri.
Coach Santarelli reverts to his “superstar” sextet with Wolosz-Haak, Gabi-Zhu, Fahr-Chirichella, libero Moki De Gennaro, host Reale Mutua Fenera takes the court in a sold-out palasport with VanAalen diagonally with former Gicquel, Skinner with the other former Omoruyi slappers, center Gray and Zakchaiou, libero Spirito.
The start of the Panthers’ match as it often happens in the last period is devastating for Chieri, with the Panthers immediately attacking the match thanks to a super hitting turn by Isabelle Haak. The defense-monstrosities of De Gennaro and Gabi allow captain Wolosz to sort valuable balls for Zhu (first set pimped up by the Chinese with 5 points) and the Swede herself and it’s 1-6. Cristina Chirichella also works well first in attack, then in the wall, Haak does the rest (6 points in the set) and Prosecco DOC Imoco keeps the lead (5-12). The hosts struggle in attack against the overwhelming power of the Gialloblù wall-defense and the lead takes important proportions: 5-15. Show of strength by the Italian champions who make no mistakes and close the set easily 16-25 with the final blow by Fahr 3 points, like Chirichella, in the set).
Also in the second set, Conegliano comes out better from the starting blocks with the winning shots of a Zhu now perfectly cast in the role of Pantera, 3-7 and immediate time out by coach Bregoli. Wolosz also puts on a show with a great first point, but Skinner responds well (6-8). The hosts are more consistent than in the first set, even Olympian Loveth Omoruyi begins to make her presence felt and with Skinner and Gicquel she begins to put her breath on the Panthers’ necks (12-14). Gabi’s lob repels the threat, then De Gennaro defends and Zhu breaks through the wall (12-16), the Venetians try the stretch, but Chieri comes back under. Gray walls, Gicquel (4 points in the set) attacks to tie (17-17) and after a quiet first set now it’s battle. Chieri plays well, Skinner (6 points in the set) operates the overtake (22-21) for the first lead of the Piedmontese in the match. the Prosecco DOC Imoco compacts and goes back ahead, this time it is Sarah Fahr with a great wall to give the +2 (21-23). In the final sprint decide Gabi (5 in the set), “no look” attack (22-24) and Fahr who, as in the first one, is in charge of closing the second set (23-25) as well, much more fought.
Third set: despite Gabi’s pearls, Chieri confirms to have raised the level and starts at full speed (9-6) also taking advantage of some yellow-blue blunders. Skinner and former Omoruyi hurt with their attacks, Gray walls for the 10-7 that triggers the red alert, time out. But it’s not enough, the blackout continues, Gicquel walls /5 points in the set) and Reale Mutua flies to +6 (13-7), another time out. On 14-7 Adiwge enters, but it seems that Chieri now controls operations. Wolosz and De Gennaro sound the charge, but Skinner is charging and keeps hitting (18-12). Seki also comes in at the dribble, then Lukasik for the last run-up, a still very ready Adiwge seals two points for -4 (20-16). Final gasp from Prosecco DOC Imoco, wall by Chirichella (21-18). Despite 24-20 the Panthers try until the end, Haak returns and cancels two set points, then Fahr the third (24-23), but the hosts do not tremble, Zakchaiou from the center takes the partial 25-23, it is the second set of the season lost by the Panthers.
In the fourth set Prosecco DOC Imoco starts well, Zhu’s wall gives the +4 (1-5). Wolosz and her teammates limit the errors, play with order and great concentration, but Chieri believes and keeps the Panthers on the rope proving to be a top team, Gray ties (8-8) with another wall. Haak, however, raises the shutter at the wall (8-10), then Cirichella (4 blocks and 11 points on the scoreboard, great performance for Cristina) imitates her (12-14). They fight ball on ball with the two teams giving everything, Gicquel (20 points in the match) is effective (14-15), but Zhu retaliates from the second line. With character Reale Mutua goes back ahead thanks to Gray and Gicquel (17-16), but Fahr equalizes. Here comes the “spurt” of coach Santarelli’s team that pushes hard (21-17) with Haak’s sasses (20 points, 3 walls at the end) who has found her rhythm together with the team after a couple of complicated sets. The close is by Chirichella, game-set and match (8th win out of 8 league matches) for the 21-25 that sanctions Prosecco DOC Imoco’s 3-1 win on Chieri’s court.
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(Photo Chieri Press Office – LVF)