Taranto, 07 January 2024

Gioiella Prisma Taranto-Itas Trentino 0-3, the match report

Chronicle of the match. Itas Trentino entered Puglia missing only Nelli (who remained in Trento for a separate training program). Therefore, coach Fabio Soli made no changes to his starting six: Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Lavia and Michieletto in area 4, Podrascanin and Kozamernik in the middle, and Laurenzano as libero. Gioiella Prisma lined up Trinidad DeHaro as setter, Russell as opposite, Lanza and Gutierrez as spikers, Gargiulo and Jendryk in the middle, and Rizzo as libero. The Italian Champions had a strong start in transition and break points: Michieletto blocked Russell, and Rychlicki immediately found an ace for an initial 6-3 lead. Taranto tried to come back several times with some good blocks (8-7 and later 14-13), but Trento always managed to extend the lead thanks to Rychlicki's effective attacks, especially in the first half (16-13). Gioiella Prisma became nervous and made too many mistakes, allowing the guests to take a 5-point lead (20-15). It was a decisive moment because, despite some difficulty in keeping the margin (from 23-19 to 24-23), the yellow-blue team managed to close the set with Podrascanin, winning 25-23.
After changing half-courts, Lanza took charge, both in serve and attack, leading the home team to a 1-4 lead. Itas Trentino struggled in reception (2-6), but quickly recovered thanks to Lavia’s attacks, equalizing at 8-8. Later, Trento accelerated with Rychlicki and Kozamernik's block (from 12-12 to 17-14), and Gioiella Prisma couldn't keep up with the pace (23-19), succumbing to Kozamernik's decisive spike that, almost single-handedly, secured a 25-20 victory, bringing the guests to a 2-0 lead.
In the third set the Italian Champions started strong, determined to settle the match with the maximum margin possible. Michieletto and Podrascanin get the ball rolling, reaching 8-4. Taranto, once again, resisted and, with Gutierrez and Sala (who entered the game from the first exchange in place of Russell), managed to equalize until 14-14. However, the yellow-blue team accelerated with Lavia (17-15 and then 19-16), and the contest quickly approached the closing stages (21-17 and 25-20).

Trentino Volley Srl
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