For this new day of the Marmara Spike League, Nice Volley-Ball had a great opportunity to take a step towards the playoffs by traveling to the court of AS Cannes Volley-Ball. But the derby did not live up to its promises, as the Niçois were defeated decisively (3-0). In a match under pressure for the top 8, being eighth before the match, Nice Volley-Ball absolutely needed to earn points to maintain their lead over their pursuers. On the other side, AS Cannes Volley-Ball also had a lot at stake, with the ambition to catch up with their Riviera neighbor.
FIRST SET
In a crowd favoring Cannes, the locals started their match perfectly. More aggressive in service and solid in blocking, they quickly put Nice under pressure (6-3). On the Nice Volley-Ball side, the league’s top scorer Dawid Dulski was on the bench, probably rested in anticipation of the French Cup final against Paris next Saturday. As a result, the Aiglons were too inconsistent in reception and attack. Despite this, the Niçois caught up on the score; the beginning of the match was quite balanced. (11-11) That’s when the Dragons accelerated the pace and pulled away (18-15), but the Niçois came back once again (18-18). It wasn’t enough to delay the outcome, and Nice conceded the first set, despite a contested end of the set. (28-26)
SECOND SET
Nice lacked consistency and was already being shaken (4-1). Hit but not sunk, the NVB players lifted their heads in this second set (5-5). It was a cat-and-mouse game as Cannes regained the advantage and a three-point lead (9-6). More focused and effective, the Cannois took control against the visitors, who couldn’t reverse the trend. But as often this season, Nice Volley-Ball alternated between good and less good, and Cannes took advantage of Nice’s lapses to regain the advantage in a clearly dominated end of the set by the Dragons. (25-20)
THIRD SET
Back against the wall, Nice had to find the resources to get back into the game. More incisive offensively and better organized, the locals took the lead, and as in the other sets, were always ahead (9-6). In all areas, the Cannois consistently put in the extra effort. Dawid Dulski was greatly missed, and the Nice team was not the same without him. Hopefully, he is not injured but just being preserved. The score quickly became (14-9) for Cannes. Nice’s reaction was still pending, and the match turned into a real punishment (18-10). No hope for the Aiglons, as the points followed one another (24-15). First match point converted. (25-14)
With this clear defeat (28-26, 25-20, 25-15), the Niçois did not earn any points and remain directly threatened by their competitors in the race for the playoffs. On the other hand, AS Cannes Volley-Ball achieved a very good performance and completely revived the suspense in this end of the Marmara Spike League season.
Next decisive meeting
The Niçois will have to react decisively in the next match, which is the return game against Cannes, to secure their place in the top 8. The end of the season promises to be more uncertain than ever.
