As part of the 22nd day of the Marmara SpikeLigue, the Eagles (12th) challenged the Bretons of Nantes-Rezé (2nd) in Palmeira. The challenge looked difficult for Fabrice Chalendar’s men against one of the title contenders this season.
Vengeful after their defeat a few months earlier in Nantes (3-0), the Nice team was determined to win tonight to further secure their stay in the Marmara SpikeLigue. As for the Nantais, who were largely favored before the start of the match, they hoped to continue their current winning streak of three consecutive victories.
In a very tightly contested first set where both teams exchanged blows for a long time and neither managed to take the lead over the other. The Bretons managed to widen the gap (19-16) by capitalizing on errors from Nice. The NVB was then unable to turn the tide and thus let the first set slip to Nantes (25-21).
The Eagles Bounce Back
The 2nd set started much better for the NVB. Simon Hirsch showed great form, notably delivering a nice smash to bring the score to (7-3). This time, it was the Nantais who never managed to catch up. Losing (17-13), Chizoba’s teammates didn’t give up but couldn’t find true success. The Nice team held their ground. They maintained their lead throughout the set and won (25-17).
The NVB volleyball players started the 3rd set at full speed. Valerii Todua strung together a nice series of five serves bringing the score to (5-0) before making a fault on the 6th. Rodney Ah-Kong, who had been relatively inactive since the start of the match, also proved decisive in both attack and defense multiple times in this set. Yet Nantes quickly caught up in the score. Nice once again relied on Simon Hirsch to put the opponent at +2. With gentle ease and a beautiful smash feint, he deceived the entire Nantes-Rezé team (19-17). After a fierce duel, The Nice team faltered in the final points, leaving the 3rd set to the Nantais (25-21).
Nice Didn’t Deserve It
The Nice team did not admit defeat, as demonstrated by Simon Hirsch, who made three superb net attacks to keep his team in the match (7-9). Javier Gonzalez then showed his cleverness with two finesse attacks, allowing the Eagles to remain within reach (12-14). In a very tight end to the 3rd set (22-22), the Nice team, made two service errors and a total misunderstanding, bringing the score to (24-22) in favor of Nantes-Rezé, and once again fell apart in the last points. Despite a resounding comeback and saving two match points, after much suspense, the Bretons finally secured victory with three sets to one (29-27).
The next appointment for the Eagles is next Sunday at 7 PM, on the field of Plessis-Robinson, with the opportunity to secure a spot in the Marmara SpikeLigue next year.
