Uberlandia (Brazil), 15 December 2024

Sada Cruzeiro-Trentino Itas 0-3, match report

Match Report. Trentino Itas confirmed the starting six used in the semifinal against Lube the previous day: Sbertoli setting, Rychlicki opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as hitters, Flavio and Pellacani as middle blockers, with Laurenzano as libero. Sada Cruzeiro replied with Matheus setting, Wallace opposite, Vaccari and Rodriguinho in position 4, Otavio and Saatkamp as middle blockers, and Alexandre as libero. The match began with a break point from Wallace (2-4); Sada quickly built momentum and extended their lead with Vaccari, who stretched the advantage to +5 with an ace and an attack (5-10, Soli timeout). Upon resumption, two consecutive blocks by Lavia fueled the yellow-blue's hopes (8-11), but then the Brazilians allowed nothing for a long period (11-15). A great rotation by Michieletto, including three consecutive aces, brought the score level at 15 and then pushed Trento ahead (16-15). However, the lead lasted just a moment, as Cruzeiro accelerated again with their blocking and serving (17-20) and secured the set thanks to the consistency of their side-out (22-25), despite Gabi Garcia's good entry (scoring twice immediately) for Rychlicki.
In the second set, Soli confirms the Puerto Rican opposite on the court, and the contest unfolds point by point until it reaches 13-13 with a series of side-outs. Then, Michieletto steps in to give the yellow-blues their first lead (15-13). Alessandro is on fire in position 4, also contributing to a +3 lead (18-15), which forces the green and gold team to call a timeout. Upon resuming, Gabi Garcia strikes hard (19-15), and Trento manages to maintain their lead until the end (21-19 and 25-20), aided by Bristot's strong service entry (including a direct ace).
In the third set, the Brazilians regain control of the game, taking advantage of several net errors from the yellow-blues: Gabi Garcia's mistake widens the gap (4-6), and Pellacani's subsequent error allows Sada to pull ahead (9-13). Soli then sends Bartha, Acquarone, and Rychlicki back into the mix; this move seems to pay off as Trentino Itas climbs from 11-16 to 15-16, aided by Michieletto's serves. However, at the crucial moment, the European Champions fall back into a hole: setter Matheus serves at 16-18 and orchestrates a lengthy rotation that only concludes at 16-25, featuring four personal aces.
The fourth set also starts in favor of the green and gold team, with Wallace and Rodriguinho immediately securing a +3 lead (3-6). Bartha remains on the court, but Rychlicki returns to replace Gabi Garcia after a net error by the Puerto Rican. Trentino Itas struggles, falling behind 5-9 under the Brazilian opposite's attacks, but then rallies with a block (8-9). Sada senses the danger and responds with Wallace again (9-13 and 11-15); Michieletto sends a couple of attacks out, plunging Trentino Itas into a deep hole. A block from Flavio and a winning serve from Sbertoli are needed to get back within reach of the locals (16-17); however, it's only for a moment, as Otavio blocks Flavio (16-19) and Michieletto sends out the diagonal that makes it 17-21. Soli calls a timeout, but Trento raises its head too late, saving two match points (22-24). On the third attempt (a service error by Michieletto), the Brazilian celebration erupts.

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