Nice secures a third consecutive home victory. Facing Rennes this Thursday evening, the team from Nice had some scares but ultimately secured the 3 points and are temporarily in 8th place, which qualifies them for the playoffs.
As has often been the case this season, Nice let a set slip away that they could (should?) have won. Despite major difficulties this season, Rennes started the first set well, leading 7-4.
Driven by their home crowd, Nice caught up with their opponent, matched their level, and then soared at the end of the set (24-21).
Mladen Kasic’s players had 5 set points, all unconverted. Rennes had “only” 3. (29-31)
But Nice quickly got back on track. Clearly frustrated by losing the first set to their opponent, NVB started the second act with a bang. They reached 10 points with a 5-point lead and doubled their lead by the time they scored their 20th point (20-10).
Leading 24-14, Jaumel’s teammates needed only one set point to win this time (25-14).
Nice continued their streak
Galvanized, Rennes Volley 35 tried to respond. Unlike the previous set, they didn’t let Nice pull away in the score and even led by their 10th point (9-10).
Then the Nice team got into gear (20-15) and NVB won this 3rd set with a 7-point lead (25-18).
Despite their lead in the score, Nice got nervous. Not very attentive, Jaumel’s teammates quickly found themselves trailing by 4 points to the Bretons (6-10).
As earlier in this match, they managed to raise their level of play and even led by as many as 6 points (22-16).
Unfortunately, a bad habit has been formed this season at Giamarchi, letting opponents catch up. Just 3 points away from victory, Nice let Rennes level (24-24) and struggled before finally winning their match (26-24).
Nice is improving and thus secures a third consecutive home victory, thanks notably to 4 aces by Kolev and 25 points from their striker Tupchii.
NVB temporarily climbs to 9th place and can once again hope for the playoffs at the end of the season.
