This Saturday evening, as part of the 7th day of the Marmara Spike League, Nice Volley-Ball hosted Poitiers. The match ended with a victory (3-0) for our Eagles.
The start of the season has been inconsistent for NVB. Three victories (Toulouse, Paris, Plessis-Robinson) and three defeats (Montpellier, Sète, Cannes). However, the Eagles were in 6th place before the match started. Thus, against Poitiers, another contender for the top 8 and the playoffs, Nice had a great opportunity to shine in front of their fans. And what success! The Eagles made a strong statement by defeating Poitiers in 3 straight sets (25-18 / 26-24 / 25-18).
First set
The start of the match is tight. Nice and Poitiers go head-to-head. But, wow, what a surprise thereafter! The team from Nice keeps attacking intensely and causes Poitiers to falter. 6-5 / 9-5 / 11-6 / 15-8 then 20-12. Earvin Ngapeth’s teammates are unable to handle the Eagles, unstoppable in this beginning of the match. The conclusion of this set is just routine: 25-18 for Nice!
Second set
Same story in this second set. Despite a blistering start by Poitiers, quickly leading 4-2, the Eagles quickly catch up at 6 all. A key moment where the Nice team decides to accelerate. They pull ahead to 11-6. However, Simon Hirsch’s teammates don’t completely pull away, maintaining just a 3-point lead. Poitiers even equalizes at 22 all. Nonetheless, it doesn’t worry the Nice team who, with determination, win this second set: 26-24.
Third set
Third time’s the charm… Poitiers starts the set in front. But once again, at 6 all, the set shifts in favor of Nice. From there, the Eagles head towards victory, leading up to 20-9. At the end of the set, a slight comeback from Poitiers. However, it doesn’t change the result of the set and the match. 25-18 for Nice in this third set. And 1, and 2, and 3 sets to 0 for Nice against Poitiers.
4th in the Ligue A with 13 points on the scoreboard, surpassing their evening opponents, Nice Volley-Ball will head to Saint-Nazaire, next Saturday.
A few stats from the match
Match duration: 1h37
Total points: Nice = 76 / Poitiers = 60
Top scorer for Poitiers: Dusan Nikolic with 11 points
Top scorer for Nice Volley-Ball: Simon Hirsch with 24 points
% of successful attacks: Nice = 57% / Poitiers = 45%
