The fourth day of Marmara SpikeLigue offered a great show at the Narbonne Arena. Despite the defeat in the tie-break, the Eagles showed a fighting spirit.Â
It was time for a rebound for the players of NVB. A few days after their home defeat against Plessis-Robinson, Brice Donat’s men needed to lift their heads. Traveling to Narbonne, the team from Nice knew the task would be tough, but they hung on. Especially since, at the start of this season, Nice travels well. Proof of this is the victory achieved on the field of Toulouse during the second day. Their only win in the championship so far.
Right from the first set, Nice set the pace. Driven by a Dawid Dulski in great form, the Azuréens took the lead thanks to an effective attack and solid reception. The final score (25-18) reflects a clear superiority, especially in transition phases where the Dulski–Mayo duo scored repeatedly. With 36 balls played and 31 points scored in total, Dawid Dulski confirmed his role as the offensive spearhead, showing an impressive 69% success rate in attack. His power at the net put Narbonne under pressure, forcing the locals to make multiple mistakes.
The second set marked a turning point. While Nice led 16-13 and then 21-17, the Narbonne team managed to turn the tide to win (25-22). On the Nice side, a few service errors (six direct faults in this set) and a drop in clarity in reception allowed the locals to come back. Despite the efforts of Colin Castelnau, who was valuable in defense and made 15 receptions with 58% positivity, Nice lacked consistency in crucial moments. This lapse proved costly as it restored Narbonne’s confidence.
The third act was the most difficult for Nice. Quickly falling behind (7-16), the Azuréens never found the solution against the rise of Liam Patte, the future MVP of the match. Despite some flashes from Merrick McHenry, who scored 14 points with 86% efficiency in attack, Nice succumbed heavily 25-15. This slump illustrates the team’s difficulties in maintaining their intensity over time, a clear area for improvement as the season progresses.
The Nice revolt: a heroic fourth set
Just when Narbonne seemed to have taken control, Nice found the resources to come back. The fourth set was a true arm-wrestle, concluding (26-24) in favor of the visitors. In this round, the variety of play orchestrated by the setter Wessel Keemink was decisive. With 19 services and intelligent distribution, he was able to involve Merrick McHenry and Lohan Nack Minyem, the latter contributing 10 valuable points. The defense, led by libero Mason Briggs (67% positive receptions), also helped contain the opponent’s attacks. This display of pride showed the resilience of a group capable of competing with the best teams.
The fifth set summed up the whole match: tight, intense, but ultimately cruel for Nice. After leading 10-9, the team from Nice faltered on a few details, notably two direct faults and a decisive block by Patte. The final score (15-12) leaves a bitter taste, as NVB had the means to conclude the match. Nonetheless, this point gained away from home remains valuable in the playoff race.
In the end, Nice loses three sets to two (18-25, 25-22, 25-15, 24-26, 15-12), but emerges stronger from this duel. The team showed great mental resources and an ability to react in difficult moments. Although consistency needs work, the collective performance and individual statistics suggest significant potential. With a confident Dawid Dulski and a solid defensive base, NVB can harbor real ambitions for the remainder of the season. The team from Nice will host Sète next Friday for the fifth day of the Marmara SpikeLigue with the goal of clinching their first home win of the season! The kickoff is set for 8 PM at the Giamarch/Palmeira hall.Â
