Nice Volley-Ball was hosting Chaumont for the fifth day of Ligue Alterna Volstar. Following a tight match from the first to the last minute, the Eagles overcame their opponent in a crazy atmosphere (3-1). As usual, Fausto Diaz impressed and won the MVP trophy.
Back at home in a well-filled Giamarchi hall, the Eagles welcomed Chaumont this Friday evening. After two consecutive victories without losing a single set, against Sète in the league, and against Fréjus in the French Cup, Brice Donat’s men wanted to continue their forward momentum. Led by their ace Kevin Kobrine and young Fausto Diaz, the Maralpin have elevated their level of play match after match in this early season.
However, the favorite of the match was indeed Chaumont Volley-Ball. Undefeated in four league matches, the Haut-Marne team was in second place in Ligue A Alterna Volstar before this fifth day. A small surprise given their disappointing ranking from last season (12th). Even if the squads have changed considerably, the Eagles had just recorded a tight victory against their opponent from this evening last season during the final day of the regular season.
From the start of the match, the fixture so tight on paper lived up to all its promises. Long rallies, improbable defenses, all the ingredients were there for a great match. The only downside on both sides was the many service errors, proof that both teams feared each other. Led by a Kevin Kobrine in great form, the Eagles carved out a small lead in the middle of the first set, 14-11.
But at the end of the set, the Chaumont team was much better at serving, putting pressure on the NVB’s reception. Led by former Nice player Shay Liberman, the visitors managed to win this first set: 23-25 (0-1)
The NVB has resilience
No drop in intensity at the start of the second set, the teams traded blows, with neither able to gain more than two points advantage. While Kevin Kobrine had been the most prominent Maralpin player early in the match, it was the Ukrainian receiver-attacker for the NVB, Tymofii Poluian who made his team shine. With 7 points scored (7/12, 58%), he managed to keep Brice Donat’s men in the game.
Like déjà vu, both teams found themselves at 20-20 at the end of the set. Thanks to JJ Love, who produced two monstrous blocks, then Kevin Kobrine who exploded the opposing defense with a perfect smash, the Azuréens won the second set 25-23 in a fused Giamarchi hall. (1-1)
After this second set won in a nail-biter, the Eagles botched their start to the third set. Dominated in all sectors, they accumulated errors until they trailed by six points: 5-11. With experience, the Nice players eventually turned things around, gradually closing the gap. In several disputed situations, the Chaumont team seemed to lose their nerves, especially seeing their lead shrink as the set progressed. It was Fausto Diaz who sounded the revolt, with two aces in a row, and several powerful attacks (6/7, 86%).
Both teams found themselves tied again at 20-20, and it was the crowd that made the difference. In a fiery atmosphere, the Chaumont team cracked under pressure. On yet another smash out of bounds, the NVB pocketed this third set: 25-22. (2-1)
Fausto “tough” Diaz
If there was anyone who took responsibility in this fourth set, it was receiver-attacker Fausto Diaz. With ten points scored (10/16, 62%), the 20-year-old was the strong man of the Eagles’ collective.
Long neck and neck, both teams fought a much longer battle in this set. Hard to believe, at 20-20, that we were only halfway through the set. It took eight match points, several wild actions, yellow cards, saved set points, before finally seeing the NVB conclude this set and match. It was Haukea Mare, the Eagles’ middle blocker, who concluded the match with a full-rage block, thrilling a Giamarchi hall that was waiting for just that: 36-34. (3-1)
After three hours of hard-fought battle, the Eagles prevail in four sets (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 36-34). Unsurprisingly, Fausto Diaz wins the MVP trophy again, after a end of match where he carried his team. The NVB returns to 4th place in Ligue A Alterna Volstar, inflicting Chaumont Volley-Ball’s first defeat of the season. “We are in our rightful place in the standings,” said American libero for the NVB Mason Briggs. Questioned about the peculiarity of facing his former teammate Shay Liberman, the Nice player added with humor: “I’m sorry for Shay, but I think I know his serves too well not to manage to receive them.”
A very fine victory that propels the NVB to the top of the standings. Next match against Narbonne Saturday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
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