After a thunderous start to the season, the NVB players were caught off guard this Saturday against Tours. A setback that should not hinder the club’s ambitions.
Two weeks after their great victory in Saint-Nazaire, the men of Nice Volleyball had the chance to clinch a fourth consecutive victory. An unprecedented streak for the club since the 2018/2019 season (seven consecutive victories). To do so, the Niçois could rely on their opposite hitter Simon Hirsch. The German international is currently leading the top scorers’ ranking in the Marmara SpikeLigue.
Right from the start of the match, the Eagles were in difficulty. Tours took control of the game and benefitted from a few offensive and defensive lapses from the locals. The Tourangeaux were on top of their game and quickly pulled away to lead by seven points. Merrick Mchenry and Alexandros Raptis led the charge to help their teammates come within a point at the end of the set (19-20). However, it was not enough to take the lead. Nice dropped the first set (22-25).
Too timid offensively in the first act, the Niçois turned as often to Simon Hirsch again. The opposite hitter scored eight points in the second set. Well supported by the setter Bruno Dias, with three aces, and a series of errors from the visitors, Nice easily pulled even to one set apiece (25-11).
Tours takes the upper hand
It seemed that the Nice machine was back on track. And indeed, it was the case in the third set. Once again led by Simon Hirsch, Nice stayed in the game. Both teams overcame the defenses. While Tours stayed ahead, two blocks from Merrick Mchenry allowed the Maralpins to catch up. Unfortunately, two minor errors at the end of the set allowed Tours to take the lead (21-25).
The efforts of the Niçois went unrewarded and Brice Donat’s players struggled to recover. In the fourth set, the Nice team was only a shadow of themselves. On the other side, Tours executed their game perfectly. Quickly down (0-6), there was no reaction. It wasn’t until the 11th point of this set to finally see an action from the Nice block. Insufficient to hope for anything at all. The gap even extended to +10…
The Eagles logically conceded this match (22-25/25-11/21-25/13-25) in just under two hours. A defeat that will need to be quickly digested before facing Tourcoing next weekend in the North. On the standings, NVB drops two places, finding themselves in 6th position.
