Playing away at the Palais des Victoires, the Nice Volley-Ball team was eager to continue their exceptional run in the championship (4th after 4 matches). The result? A 3-0 defeat against the neighboring Cannes team.
First Set
The Nice team started their match with intensity. From the first exchanges, they took the lead, quickly going up 6-2. More realistic and confident, the Eagles imposed their rhythm, creating a significant gap at 13-8. Their clear attacks threw the Cannes defense off balance, and at 15-9, the break seemed complete. However, as money-time approached, the Cannes Dragons showed their resilience. They came back to 17-14 and then closed the gap to one point, 18-17. The Niçois, struggling, saw their lead melt awayuntil a tie at 19-19. Despite the pressure, they regained their composure, taking the lead 22-20. However, Cannes reacted again to equalize at 22 points apiece. Both teams traded points until 28-28. Finally, after a hard-fought battle, Nice narrowly lost (30-28).
Second Set
The Niçois lacked realism at the start of the second set. Despite some attempts to come back, errors piled up. Quickly distanced, the Eagles first succumbed to the Cannes team’s effectiveness, finding themselves trailing 4-1, then 6-2. Opportunities to turn the tide were rare, and Cannes took advantage to widen the gap. At 12-7, a slight burst of pride allowed the Niçois to return to 13-11. A moment of hope quickly swept away by the Cannes team. They regained the lead 16-13, then 19-15, capitalizing on the Eagles’ inaccuracies. At the end of the set, Nice couldn’t reverse the momentum. Trailing 22-17, the Niçois ultimately fell (25-20), allowing their opponents to take the second set without significant resistance.
Third Set
The start of the third set was particularly contested, with each team responding blow for blow until 8-8. At that point, the Niçois pulled ahead, widening the gap to 15-11. However, the Azuréens saw their lead erode. Cannes, persistent, leveled the score, equalizing at 17 all. This comeback weighed heavily (once again…) on the Eagles’ morale. Taking the lead, the Dragons didn’t let it slip. Cannes then maintained their lead, winning (25-22). The Niçois, despite their tenacity, couldn’t change the tide.
Some Statistics
Match duration: 1 hour 42 minutes
Total points: Cannes = 80 / Nice = 70
Top scorer for Cannes: Reda Haikel with 15 points
Top scorer for Nice: Simon Hirsch with 22 points
% of successful attacks: Cannes = 45% / Nice = 41%
Next meeting for the Eagles: away game at Plessis-Robinson, this Saturday at 7 PM.
