Two teams with a great need for points. In an atmosphere worthy of the biggest European matches, Nice Volley Ball hosted the neighboring Cannes team for a derby that lived up to all its promises.
This derby was worth its weight in gold. Between a Nice Volley Ball searching for a first home victory this season and AS Cannes struggling at the start of the season, it was impossible to find a favorite before kickoff. The Dragons had the opportunity to leapfrog their neighbors in the standings with a win tonight.
Cannes started the match with good intentions. AS Cannes logically led at the start of the match. More focused in attack, the Dragons quickly gained the upper hand and a three-point lead. It took a great Dawid Dulski, in great form for several weeks, to bring the Eagles back into the game. Two aces and several Cannes errors later, NVB caused doubts for their opponent. The reception was sometimes overwhelmed by the variations in attacks proposed by Nice.
The end of the first set approached, and the two teams were closely matched. In the money time, Nice had three set points but seemed a little less strong physically. The Eagles couldn’t overcome the Cannes blocks and were caught by surprise. Nice let slip the first set (29-27) with regrets at the end of a good fight.
Nothing to dampen the locals’ determination in this match. Shay Liberman and Lohan Nack-Minyem found the diagonals at the start of the second set and made a difference. The Nice team was in control and widened the gap to 11-5. Joao Noleto and Kellian Paes played their part for the Dragons, but inefficiency in service cost them dearly. The Eagles took full advantage and leveled the set score (25-18).
The momentum shifts in favor of AS Cannes
Despite being in a good dynamic, the Nice team hit a wall. One point illustrated this feeling when the Cannes team managed to block four consecutive NVB attacks to score the point and lead 4-0. More consistent in service and reception, the Dragons were untouchable. Brice Donat brought in his luxury substitute, Rodney Ah-Kong, to try and reverse the trend while the locals trailed by +7. Despite some good actions from the captain, Nice committed too many errors to hope for a comeback. Especially since Xander Ketrzynski (24 points) was piling up points in attack. The Canadian international broke down the Nice team, which lost the third set (25-15).
It was hard to get back into the game. Mentally affected, the Nice team was on the brink at the start of the fourth set. Dawid Dulski tried to restore order in the team. But Joao Noleto’s attacks were very damaging. The Brazilian, very active in reception at 80%, made the difference in this set. AS Cannes went +5 up, backing the Nice team into a corner. The visitors had some luck and punished Nice during the offensive phase. Another defeat at Palmeira was looming for the Eagles. Rodney Ah-Kong, as an exemplary captain, tried to relaunch his team, but nothing worked. Nice shone sporadically but struggled over time.
AS Cannes won without contest in four sets (29-27/18-25/25-15/25-18) in this derby, which was of a very high level. The Nice team paid for their passivity and perhaps lacked freshness after their victory on Monday against Plessis-Robinson.
Now, they will have to capitalize on the few good results achieved away from home. Nice Volley Ball will head to Saint-Nazaire on Tuesday, December 2, to bounce back before hosting Ajaccio on Saturday.
