The fourth day of the Marmara Spike League saw Nice Volley Ball face Paris. A match fairly easily won by NVB.
After a mixed start to the season, NVB had to respond tonight at home. With one victory for two defeats, the situation is not yet concerning. However, if the club aspires to reach the final stages, it’s crucial not to drop points at home.
The players of Brice Donat understood this well. From the beginning of the encounter, Merrick Mchenry and Simon Hirsch stood out in blocking, quickly giving NVB the advantage. Paris made several attacking errors, allowing the Eagles to maintain a two to three-point lead. Then, at (15-13), Simon Hirsch’s show began. The German opposite hitter helped Nice soar ahead to ultimately clinch the first set (25-16).
Nice didn’t let up
Well underway, the people from Nice replicated the same scenario in the second set. Well guided by Alexandros Raptis, Nooa Martilla, and Merrick Mchenry, they took the lead at (12-10). Aided by the numerous service errors from the Parisians, NVB easily secured the second set (25-20).
A straightforward victory seemed imminent, but in the past, Nice has occasionally experienced lapses that have cost them dearly. Paris was aware of this. The two teams traded blows. The Maralpins showed some signs of attack jitters, as did the Parisians. It felt like this set could be a turning point. Both opponents found themselves tied (24-24), with neither team managing to gain the upper hand. Finally, the game turned on a final attacking error by Paris.
Nice won in three sets (25-16, 25-20, 26-24). An important victory for the morale of the troops. In terms of standings, the Eagles jumped up to fourth place provisionally with seven points.
Next Tuesday, it’s the derby against Cannes, with the opening whistle scheduled for 8 PM.
