A beautiful tie-break victory (3 sets to 2) for NVB on their home court against Cambrai. The Azuréens secure their third consecutive win, boosting their confidence ahead of the playoffs starting next Friday.
Having already ensured a second-place finish at the end of the regular season, NVB approached this last match against Cambrai without pressure. However, the Azuréens had to work until the very end to overcome their evening opponents.
A Set and a Half to Get Started
On the court, Mladen Kasic’s men seemed tense. They made numerous errors and struggled to impose their game. Evidence of this tension was the warning received by Jérôme Clere. Raphael Corre, the Nice captain and setter, had trouble finding solutions in attack. Ultimately, the Azuréens conceded the first set with a score of 18-25.
In the next set, the locals still struggled, especially with receptions. But after the first technical timeout, they executed an impressive blocking series thanks to Nemanja Cubrillo and David Feughouo. They took the lead on the scoreboard with an ace from young center Yousri Agenay. The Niçois concluded this set 25-21, getting back into the game.
The Match Balances
Returning from the break, Raphael Corre’s teammates continued their momentum. They took advantage of numerous service and attack mistakes by the Cambrésiens. Then, at 15-10, the Nice machine stalled. They conceded 5 consecutive points, allowing the northerners back into the match. Both teams traded blows, but Cambrai eventually won this set 27-29, regaining the advantage.
The fourth set was an exact replica of the third. The Niçois led by four points this time (9-5) before conceding another five consecutive points. However, they managed to regain control at the end of the set to force a tie break. 25-22
In this final act, the locals quickly took the lead. Driven notably by Florian Béclin and Niklas Seppänen (6 points for the duo in the tie-break), the Azuréens finally secured victory in this last set 15-10 with a final attack from Béclin.
Now, they are set to face Saint-Quentin next Friday in the quarter-finals of Ligue B. The Niçois have already beaten this team three times over the course of the season.
