Volleyball: Arago de Sète beats Nice Volley-Ball

Four days before the end of the regular season, Nice Volley-Ball traveled to Sète. A direct competitor for qualification in the quarter-finals of the Marmara SpikeLigue.

Three days after its qualification for the French Cup final, Nice Volley-Ball returned to the Marmara SpikeLigue. In a championship that remains tight, every match counts until the end of the regular phase. Before kick-off, NVB occupied 7th place with five points ahead of the first eliminated team. Facing them, Arago de Sète (5th) was riding positive momentum with only one home defeat in February, against Montpellier. In recent confrontations, the Sète team had won seven of the last ten matches against the Nice players.

Early in the match, the Eagles showed solid defense. Sète managed to conclude several attacks to stay in touch and then take the lead. Arago’s block did the talking and widened the gap. Despite a tactical reorganization requested by Brice Donat, the locals took a three-point lead 15-12. In the money-time, the Nice block answered present. Both teams made several service errors. Shay Liberman, author of a consistent first set, brought the two teams level at 22-22. NVB had several opportunities to conclude but the set was extended. Sète eventually took the first set (28-26).

Back and forth for the Sète team

The locals took advantage of this outcome from the start of the second set. With a four-point lead, Sète failed to maintain the gap and let Nice come back. Shay Liberman, very active since the start of the match, led the Azure reaction. The Maralpin players gained stability in reception. A service series from sharpshooter Benedikt Sablatnig gave Arago a four-point lead again 16-12. As in the first set, Nice came back thanks to two well-built attacks, including one from Dawid Dulski, who had been quieter until then.

Despite one last strong service from the Pole, Sète converted its first set point and won (25-22).

NVB missed the opportunity to catch up with their opponent in the standings. In the third set, Merrick McHenry gave his team a slight advantage 6-8. Arago answered the block by blocking Shay Liberman twice and came back level. The Sète players then scored six consecutive points to regain control 14-10. Nice reorganized and reduced the gap. Colin Castelnau distinguished himself in attack and reception. Several passing errors, however, slowed the Nice momentum.

Brice Donat’s players engaged in the most contested exchanges but it was not enough. Nice lost in three sets (28-26, 25-22, 25-21).

NVB will have to battle until the end of the regular phase to secure qualification for the quarter-finals. Next appointment on Thursday, March 5 at home against Paris, at 8 p.m. A match that will have a taste of the French Cup final.