Nice Volley-Ball was defeated at home this Tuesday evening by Le Plessis-Robinson (1-3) during the third day of the Marmara SpikeLigue. In front of nearly 800 spectators, the Nice team alternated between good and not-so-good performances. Unable to maintain the necessary intensity and rigor over time, Brice Donat’s men logically suffered defeat.
Despite coming off a promising result after a victory last Saturday on Toulouse’s field, the Eagles of Nice Volley Ball did not confirm at home this Tuesday. Facing Le Plessis-Robinson, the Nice team was largely favored. However, upon closer examination, the team from the Paris region is having a good start to the season. They won in Chaumont and then lost against the giant Tourangeau, which is nothing to be ashamed of. And they were about to prove it.
The first set set the tone: it was contested, balanced, but already symptomatic of Nice’s difficulties in closing out the match. Trailing 6-8 and then 13-16, the Aiglons caught up thanks to Dawid Dulski and Merrick McHenry, who were effective at the net. However, some errors in reception and a series of poorly handled attacks allowed the visitors to win (23-25). Nice lacked composure in key moments, particularly in serving, a sector where mistakes cost them dearly.
The second set finally saw Nice liberated. Backed by a noisy crowd, the locals took the lead (8-7, then 16-13) and dominated the exchanges. The smooth distribution by Wessel Keemink and Nack Minyem’s precision allowed the team to vary their play and shake the opposing defense. Dawid Dulski, once again decisive, found the right angles while blocks by Colin Castelnau and Merrick McHenry effectively countered the Parisian attacks. Nice logically won the set (25-18) and seemed rejuvenated.
But the upturn was short-lived. Starting in the third set, Le Plessis-Robinson regained control of the match. Brett Wildman, irresistible on the wing (16 points in total), kept scoring winning attacks. His understanding with setter Maxwell Elgert made the difference, while Nice’s reception began to falter. Trailing 4-8 then 11-16, Nice never managed to turn the tide. The Parisians won (18-25) without flinching, capitalizing on seven direct errors by Nice in this set.
Indiscipline proves fatal for the Eagles
The fourth set confirmed Le Plessis-Robinson’s superiority in managing hot points. Despite a good start (8-7), the Nice team fell in the long run against a more disciplined squad. Brett Wildman continued his stellar performance, well-supported by Nathan Canovas and Joevin Wa Bala, both effective in attack and reception. Nice held on thanks to the fighting spirit of Mayo Liberman (12 points) and the solidity of Nack Minyem (9 points), but eventually succumbed at (22-25).
Overall, the match statistics clearly summarize the challenges faced by the Azure team: 34% attack efficiency versus 58% for their opponents, 14 service errors, and too many lost balls in return plays. Only Dulski (19 points) and McHenry (8 points) truly kept pace. On the other side, the Wildman–Canovas–Wa Bala trio showcased their power, amassing over 45 points together.
After this defeat (23-25/25-18/18-25/22-25), Nice will now need to bounce back quickly. With only one victory out of three days, the Azure club finds itself in the middle of the standings (8th) of the Marmara SpikeLigue and will need to secure points on the road to avoid falling behind. The upcoming away game against Narbonne already promises to be important. The match is scheduled for this Saturday at 8 PM.
