Seventh victory for Prochimica Virtus in the B1 series championship. At PalaSarselli the nerofucsia players beat the Piacenza players from Alsenengo 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-9). Last night was supposed to be the last match of the first phase, but the virtussines will have to recover the match against Igor Volley Trecate on 10 April. The Biellese are firmly in second place, waiting to know the decisions of Fipav regarding the second phase of the season. The starting sextet decided by coach Stefano Colombo foresees Mariottini dribbling with Mo diagonally, El Hajjam and Fragonas in the band; Fornara and central Zecchini with free Baratella; and this will remain the lineup on the pitch for all four sets. The guests respond with Lancini in the control room with Tonini opposite, Tosi and Gabrielli in the band with D’Adamo and Guaschino in the center. Pastrenge is the free.
Fragonas puts down the first ball of a challenge that immediately appears balanced (5-3, then 9-7). The spiker from Turin seems to be among the fittest and is constantly sought by Mariottini. Even the wall works properly and allows the first extension (15-10). Mo is also inspired and Virtus flies to 19-12, forcing coach Scaltriti to time out. The Piacenza players come out well and recover some points, but they have to surrender to the umpteenth attack by Fragonas, who closes after 22 minutes for 25-20.
The Alsenese, who compared to the first leg, when they were defeated 3-0, appears to be a whole other team (the recoveries of a couple of girls were decisive) starts better (2-5). A couple of walls bring back the landlords, but some inaccuracies keep the Gialloblù ahead (7-11). The wall gives Prochimica the point of a tie at 14 and then allows Zecchini to score 20-17. At 23-21, after a couple of errors, Stefano Colombo stops the game. Mo takes care of the situation, very good at closing the second half: it ends 25-22 after 24 minutes.
Also in the third set the Piacenza players start better (2-5). El Hajjam places a valuable parallel and Virtus draws on the guests’ error at six. The two teams run side by side, then Alseno makes too few mistakes (16-13). But the guests do not give up and carry on after Fragonas’ mistake in reception (17-19). Fornara sounds the charge, but at 19-23 Colombo tries to ask for time out: the last prayer is not enough and the guests shorten the distance. After another 24 minutes it is 2-1 (20-25 the partial). Mariottini begins the fourth set by serving his central players more and Fornara is ready: his first points. This frees up space on the wings and the bands benefit from it: El Hajjam signs the 7-3. When even the left-handed Mo finds continuity with two attacks, Virtus stretches (11-5) forcing the guest coach to stop. But his girls come out and get four consecutive walls, which effectively close the dispute. Ends 25-9 in 18 minutes one way.
The match report
Virtus Prochemistry: Mariottini 4, Mo 15, El Hajjam 20, Fragonas 15, Fornara 14, Zecchini 10, Baratella L1, Graziola, Walther, Frascatolo, Diego, Mainini L2, Marzanati, All .: Colombo.