For Monza new stop against Piacenza

MINT Vero Volleyball Monza cannot shake off the negative trend of the period. In the second day back of the Credem Banca SuperLega Regular Season, the Consortium’s men’s first team did not è manage to replicate on the court the game seen against Fenerbahçe and overcome Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza, celebrating in three sets (25-21; 25-17; 25-19). Monza opened the match well thanks to winners Rohrs and Szwarc, but Piacenza è quickly took the lead, leaving no room to maneuver and, despite a comeback attempt by the Brianzoli, closing the first set 25-21. In the second partial Gas Sales dominated (7-3), able to take advantage of Monza’s difficulty in reception, which with the changes of Di Martino and Marttila did not è manage to shake things up, letting the partial slip away 25-17. In the third set, Monza attempted a reaction with Beretta and Szwarc, but aces by the Maar-Simon pair and plays by Romanò and Kovacevic allowed the hosts to close 25-19, winning the match with confidence. MVP of the challenge Stephen Maar; for Monza in double figures Szwarc (top scorer with 14 points) and Rohrs with 12 ground balls. However, MINT has an immediate opportunity to make up for it, although the challenge on the horizon is not an easy one: on Thursday, December 26 at 5 p.m., the Brianzoli will take to the court of Monza’s Opiquad Arena against Cucine Lube Civitanova.

No changes from previous matches for coach Eccheli, who confirms the sextet with Kreling-Szwarc on the diagonal, Zaytsev and Rohrs pair of setters, Beretta-Averill in the center and Gaggini in the role of libero.

Strong start for Monza, which thanks to Rohrs and Szwarc immediately led 2-4. After quickly regaining parity, Piacenza tries to escape (7-5) but Monza stays hooked and restores the balance. New advantage for the hosts, who this time stretch +4 (14-10). Beretta triggers his team’s comeback, but Simon’s response comes promptly (19-15). A winner by Rohrs and a wall by Beretta bring Monza back to -1 (22-21), forcing coach Anastasi to call time-out to stop the Brianza streak. Upon returning to the court, Piacenza did not waste the opportunity and closed the set 25-21, taking advantage of three set points at their disposal.

In the second fraction, the positive trend continues for Gas Sales, which runs away again (7-3) and the Monza bench takes refuge in the suspension. MINT struggles to find continuity in the game, and at 10-4 comes the double change Di Martino-Martilla in place of Zaytsev and Averill. Suffering in reception for the Brianzoli, who suffer the Piacenza game and fail to close the +8 gap (13-5). Szwarc’s hand out tries to awaken Monza (17-10), but the hosts stretch again and touch 20-11. Despite Marttila’s ace (21-15) and Szwarc’s attempt to cancel the first set point, Piacenza closes the second set 25-17.

A challenge between powerhouses at the start of the third set: on 2-1 comes Beretta’s first time, then Galassi’s 4-1 response and after that Di Martino’s 5-2. Drawn by Romanò and Kovacevic Piacenza doesn’t make a mistake, while Monza è still forced to chase (8-3). Reaction from Monza: Rohrs finds the sixth point and reopens the game to -1 (10-9). MINT keeps within striking distance, but two consecutive aces by Maar mark a new, decisive Piacenza stretch (16-11). Di Martino’s serve grazes the net and an ace also comes for Monza, which recovers a few points to -2 (18-16). The challenge seems to be in its final throes for Piacenza, which again with Romanò and Kovacevic takes 22-17 and then match point with Simon’s ace (24-18). Beretta cancels the first, but Gas Sales Bluenergy wins set and match.

POST RACE STATEMENTS
Marco Gaggini (libero MINT Vero Volley Monza): “After the last match we thought we had found the breakthrough that had not been seen in recent months. Unfortunately, instead here we had the confirmation that we have so many gaps; at times we play well, but as soon as something goes wrong we start making a lot of mistakes. We cannot find a breakthrough, the only thing to do è work hard on it during the week”.

Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza – MINT Vero Volley Monza 3-0 (25-21; 25-17; 25-19)
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza: Kovacevic 13, Brizard 1, Maar 15, Mandiraci, Scanferla (L), Galassi 8, Simon 9, Romanò 12, Bovolenta. N.E. Salsi, Ricci, Andringa, Gueye, Loreti (L). All. Anastasi
MINT Vero Volley Monza: Rohrs 12, Marttila 1, Mancini, Beretta 5, Kreling, Picchio (L), Di Martino 2, Averill 2, Gaggini (L), Zaytsev, Szwarc 14. N.E. Lee, Frascio, Mosca. All. Eccheli.

NOTES
Referees: Roberto Boris, Dominga Lot
Set duration: 26′, 24′, 30′. Tot: 1h20′
Spectators: 2092
Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza: winning strokes 7, wrong strokes 15, walls 9, errors 21, attack 55%
MINT Vero Volley Monza: winning strokes 3, bad strokes 13, walls 4, errors 17, attack 45%
MVP: Stephen Maar (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza)
Facility: PalaBancaSport – Piacenza