Monza, 03 February 2024

Mint Vero Volley-Itas Trentino 0-3, the match report

The chronicle of the match. The starting six did not differ one iota from those presented by the two coaches seven days earlier in Bologna for the Coppa Italia semifinal. Itas Trentino comes to Monza's Opiquad Arena with Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Lavia and Michieletto as outside hitters, Podrascanin and Kozamernik as middle blockers, Laurenzano as libero. Mint Vero Volley had to do without Takahashi again, so they responded with Kreling as setter, Szwarc opposite, Loeppky and Maar as outside hitters, Galassi and Di Martino as middle blockers, Gaggini as libero. The yellow-blue’s start was convincing: within a few exchanges Trento ran away (5-2 and 7-3) thanks to a very effective Michieletto at the net. Mint tried to get into the match with Szwarc (9-6), but the italian champions pushed them back with Kozamernik's block on the same Canadian opposite player (13-9). After that, Rychlicki hit hard from the nine-metre line, facilitating the breakaway of the guests (17-9); in the final Itas Trentino expanded with Sbertoli serving (22-12), closing the account with an ace of the same setter on 25-12.
The balance in the second half lasted only until 6-6, when Lavia served and Kozamernik put pressure on the opponents (9-6). Monza suffered on the receiving end, and Trento took advantage of this to mark the break-point phase well and increase their speed (from 11-8 to 15-9), without being caught again, because all the yellow-blue players were inspired by the block and in the build-up phase (20-13, 22-15 and 25-17), with a special mention for Michieletto, who was unstoppable from set 4 on the diagonal.
On 2-0 away, the match became more tightly contested; Monza tried hard to stay on track, but Itas Trentino made the breakthrough again on 6-6 with Michieletto (9-6). The Italian Champions ran with personality towards 3-0: Rychlicki was devastating at the net (13-9), also well supported by Lavia (16-9). Eccheli had already spent all the time-outs at his disposal and made a few changes, without finding the key to turn a match that the tricolors already took home on 25-17 with the usual Michieletto to lead his team.

Trentino Volley Srl
Press Office