RIMINI. Imoco wins the Italian Cup. There is no history with the panthers: 3-1 in Novara, suffering only in the third set, to win the national competition for the third time. It is the second trophy of the year after winning the Super Cup in September.
The protagonist above all is Paola Egonu, who scored 37 points: a real fury that forced the Igor on the ropes for 3 of the four sets played in Rimini, home of the Final Four.
In an “armored” RDS Stadium the Panthers take the field for the final with the usual sextet: Wolosz-Egonu, De Kruijf-Folie, Hill-Sylla, free Moki De Gennaro; Coach Lavarini answers with Hancock-Smarzek, Bonifacio-Chirichella, Herbots-Bosetti, Sansonna free. It begins and Novara starts at a good speed, 1-4 with the ace of Caterina Bosetti, but Paola Egonu warms up her arm, first scores from the second line and then an incredible “hat-trick” of consecutive winning serves that allow the Imoco to equalize and overtake. The break of the Panthers on the batting turn of the Italian champion is impressive, Egonu is joined by the defense and the fast of De Kruijf: 7-0 and Conegliano goes on to lead 8-4. Egonu su also works in defense and propitiates the attack of the “twin” Miriam Sylla, his 10-5. Herbots and Smarzek try, but Sylla is everywhere, walls-defends-attacks and keeps Conegliano ahead.
Igor is not there and replies, Washington places the ace, Bosetti walls and the Piedmontese go back to -2 (10-12), Sylla takes care of it, a machine in reception and unleashed in attack (73% in the set) to keep forward the Panthers. The former Hancock hurts with his serve, Herbots takes advantage of it for -1 (13-12). After a balanced phase Conegliano tries to escape again and this time he is relentless: captain Wolosz relies on Egonu and De Kruijf who bomb, then Sylla continues his magical evening realizing a couple of dives by Moki De Gennaro, 20-14 and the first set is marked. Dalderop enters and tries to give the shock, but the Egonu-Sylla couple (11 points for Paola with an incredible 8/9 in attack and many defenses, 8 points for Miriam) is a river in flood and the Panthers close 25-17.
The second set starts well for the Venetian team, 5-1 with De Kruijf’s block and a couple of stones from the “usual” Egonu. The Panthers have the right face, the attitude of great occasions, but the Igor does not stand by and goes back under with Bosetti, then equalizes and overtakes with Smarzek’s block and attack: 5-6. Hill also scores, but Dalderop blocks compatriot De Kruijf and Novara remains ahead (6-8). The Imoco is forced to chase, Washington signs the +3 (7-10), but Egonu defends and attacks the -2. Coach Santarelli stops the further Piedmontese extension with a time out (8-12). Egonu takes care of the strength to reduce the gap (11-13), then goes to serve and with the collaboration of the block (De Kruijf, 3 in the set for “The Queen”) and the monstre-defenses signed by Sylla / De Gennaro leads the Panthers draw 14-14. Novara relies on an inspired Dalderop for a further escape attempt (16-19), but Sylla is “on fire” and keeps the Imoco in contact, then Egonu mura for -1 (18 -19). We go to the final sprint with the Igor ahead 19-21, then Folie scores and Giulia Gennari enters for the joke. Like yesterday, the Roman setter is immediately effective, ace for the draw, 21-21. At 23-23 the Panthers raise the wall, again De Kruijf closes the way to the guest attack for 24-23. The final point is a masterpiece, Egonu’s diving defense (9 points in the set), Wolosz’s very fast ball for Sylla who shoots to the ground: 2-0.
The pride of Novara, however, distinguishes the great start of the second set for the Piedmontese who with the determination of Smarzek and a strong pressure on the serve forces coach Santarelli to an early time out at 1-6. Two Egonu missiles bring Conegliano back to -3, but the Igor has gained confidence and keeps ahead (3-8) with Bosetti’s verve. But the Piedmontese have not come to terms with a tarantolata Sylla which, despite being targeted in battles by the opponents, does not lose her clarity and rather gets more and more charged and brings back under the yellow and blue up to -1 (8-9). The former Pantera Hancock, however, keeps Novara ahead, with his deadly jokes and the collaboration of an excellent Bosetti is again -4 (8-12). The Imoco does not give up and ball on ball finds enamel, two walls of Egonu (7 points in the set), very hot and today inspired not only in attack, brings the Venetian team back to a draw (14-14) that reopens the set . Asia Wolosz is precise in feeding her opposite who responds punctually until overtaking 16-15. Kim Hill places a poisonous ace, Bosetti makes a mistake and Conegliano tries the decisive escape (19-16). The yellow-blue bench seems to be the south curve of Palaverde in encouraging the teammates, who resist the proud return of Novara, capable of making a break 5-0 and going forward 19-20. Sylla does not miss a shot (4 points in the set) and draws, but Bosetti (6 points in the set) with character puts the Igor ahead (20-21). The final is throbbing, Hancock places the ace then Bosetti transforms after another nine-meter bomb by the US director (20-22), but De Gennaro and his companions fight to the end despite an attack below the usual percentages in the third set. Sylla, always her, stitches up (21-23), Dalderop doesn’t fit and splices from the second line on 21-24. Folie in the center cancels the first set point, but a Gialloblù invasion delivers the set to Igor 22-25.
The fourth set begins in a battle atmosphere, Moki De Gennaro gives a show in defense, Kim Hill imitates her, Egonu and De Kruijf reward the efforts of their teammates for the first minibreak (5-3). An increasingly bomber-version Sylla and a fast Folie allow the Panthers to stretch (8-4), but Smarzek responds with a lob. The match is more and more intense, the teams put on a show to the sound of feats. Novara returns pushing hard with Smarzek and Washington, but Wolosz and his teammates keep their heads ahead with an impressive De Gennaro in his defensive effort (10-8). In difficult situations Paola Egonu has no problem firing her missiles (14-12). The Igor Novara does not give up, equalizes with the wall, but Folie scores and Conegliano remains ahead of a glue. The Panthers try to escape (17-15), but it’s not over. Robin De Kruijf and Egonu play the charge (20-17) and coach Lavarini asks for a time out. But the verdict is only postponed, the Panthers have taken the road to victory and forcefully close the exciting contest with an impressive final rush characterized by the deadly jokes of Egonu (who “knocks down” Dalderop) and the combinations to the kiss Wolosz-De Kruijf .
It’s the Italian Cup! By making an encore of the success obtained in 2020 in Verona, the Panthers have put the third Italian Cup on the club’s bulletin board, the eleventh trophy of the young yellow and blue history. The victory with Novara was Imoco Volley’s 55th consecutive victory, which extends its streak and now looks to the next important goals, the Champions League and the Scudetto play-offs. The opportunity to see Conegliano and Novara cross the irons again will not be long in coming, already on Wednesday at PalaIgor the Panthers will again challenge Chirichella and her companions in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, returning on Tuesday 23 at Palaverde. The SuperFinal on May 1st in Verona is up for grabs.
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