Volleyball: Without flinching, Nice Volley-Ball makes short work of Narbonne

Against Narbonne, bottom of the league, Nice Volley-Ball dominated the proceedings from start to finish of the match. Efficient, the Eagles prevailed in three sets and establish themselves in the upper part of the Ligue A Alterna Volstar standings.

After a superb victory against Chaumont, the Eagles returned to the Ligue A Alterna Volstar facing Narbonne, the cellar dwellers of the division, for the sixth day. The momentum of the two teams was opposite, Nice was riding three consecutive victories, while Narbonne had won just one of its four league matches.

The last confrontation between the two teams had favored the Maralpin players who were returning tonight to the Narbonne Arena with far more confidence than the home side. A great opportunity for NVB, currently sixth, to catch up with the top teams of the league.

Yet at the start of the match, it was the Narbonne Centurions who called the tune. With quick sequences, disputed points, the Narbonne players caught the Eagles off guard who took time to settle into their game, 12-8 for the home side.

Then very quickly, the key players of the Côte d’Azur starting six reversed the situation. Tymofii Poluian strung together ten points on his service, completely dominating the opposing reception. Hair down, Kevin Kobrine fulfilled his role as an attacker perfectly, with five points scored in this first set. Fausto Diaz concluded this first set with a perfect cross smash, 16-25. (0-1)

Nice Volley-Ball in full control

At the end of a second set more balanced from start to finish, Brice Donat’s men demonstrated their good management of crucial moments. Less successful, Kevin Kobrine wasted a few good attack balls, but it was the Nice block that swayed this set. On every difficult Narbonne reception, the three Nice players in the front line rushed to the net to block, forcing the Centurions to force their attacks.

At 17-17, the Eagles managed to tighten their game to win. Fausto Diaz shone in this set, both thanks to his explosive serves and his ability in reception. 22-25 for NVB who pulled away. (0-2)

Same scenario in the third set. Focused, the NVB volleyballers made Narbonne crack thanks to their collective strength. Rarely troubled, and stronger in all aspects of the game, they closed this final set 17-25 after 1 hour 30 minutes of play. (0-3)

The Eagles win in three sets (16-25, 22-25, 17-25) and climb to fourth place in Ligue A Alterna Volstar. A real show of force that confirms the good things seen since the start of the season. In a match where the entire Nice team performed, it is Kevin Kobrine who wins the man of the match trophy.

Next match at home against Paris Volley-Ball, eighth in the standings, and struggling at the start of this season. Kick-off Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.