Modena, 06 January 2025

Valsa Group Modena-Itas Trentino 1-3, the match report

Match Summary Itas Trentino arrives in Emilia still without Kozamernik; coach Fabio Soli therefore confirms the starting six, including Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki as opposite, Michieletto and Lavia as outside hitters, Bartha and Flavio as middle blockers, and Laurenzano as libero. Valsa Group Modena responds with De Cecco as setter, Buchegger as opposite, Davyskiba and Rinaldi as outside hitters, Mati and Sanguinetti as middle blockers, and Federici as libero. The match starts very evenly, with the hosts initially trying to break away (2-4), but they are quickly caught by the visitors, who defend well, particularly in the transition (9-9). A misfired attack from Michieletto gives Modena a new +2 lead (9-11), but Rinaldi makes an error, bringing the score back to parity at 12. The next break comes from Buchegger's serving (12-15), forcing Soli to call a timeout. After the break, Trento fights back but struggles to close the gap (17-19 and 19-22), partly because the yellow-blue team struggles to score from position 4. However, an ace from Bartha and a counterattack from Lavia bring the score level at 22, but this balance proves fragile, as Buchegger seals the set at 23-25 on the first opportunity for Valsa Group.
In the second set, Itas Trentino quickly recovers from an initial disadvantage (2-4), turning it around thanks to Flavio's work at the net to 11-9 in their favor. However, Buchegger then unleashes his attack, well supported by De Cecco's serve. Modena scores a 0-4 run that pushes them two points ahead again (11-13), forcing Soli to call a timeout and substitute Rychlicki with Gabi Garcia. Upon resuming, Michieletto and the newly entered opposite ensure the points for the recovery (at 16) and the overtaking (19-17); again, the +2 lead lasts only briefly, as Davyskiba scores two pipes that flip the score (20-21). It goes to a sprint, where Trento saves two chances for a 2-0 in favor of Modena and closes at the first opportunity with a counterattack from Lavia at 27-25.
Valsa Group does not show signs of a setback and in the third set resumes playing bold volleyball, especially in serve and attack, gaining a promising lead (5-8). Trento remains composed, and with Lavia they climb back up and even take the lead, also capitalizing on opponents' errors (12-10). Modena does not give up and with Buchegger turns the score around again (16-17), but the visiting team accelerates once more with Michieletto and Lavia, both scoring during break points (20-18). This is not the decisive moment as the geminiani tie at 21-21 (error in setting by Michieletto), but later it is Alessandro who stops Gutierrez (24-22), ensuring the break needed to close the set in their favor as De Cecco and Anzani miscommunicate at the net (an error that results in 25-22).
Riding on enthusiasm, Itas Trentino starts well in the fourth set (4-1 and 6-2), with the Emilians struggling at the net and in reception but managing to resurface thanks to some errors from the visitors (9-7). In the middle part, the Trentino team maintains their advantage (12-9, 16-13) and extends it to 21-17 thanks to an error by Davyskiba; Modena still has the strength to react, climbing back up to 24-24, saving two match points and then another at 25-25. The contest is decided by an ace from Lavia at 27-25.

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