Trento, 06 April 2025

Itas Trentino-Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza 3--2, match #1 report

Match report. The starting six of both teams were as expected, with both teams presenting their full lineups in front of the packed arena. Itas Trentino lined up with Sbertoli as setter, Rychlicki opposite, Michieletto and Lavia on the wings, Kozamernik and Flavio in the middle, and Laurenzano as libero. Piacenza responded with Brizard as setter, Romanò opposite, Mandiraci and Maar on the outsides, Simon and Galassi in the middle, and Scanferla as libero.
The first highlight of the match came from Sbertoli, who scored two aces to turn around Piacenza's initial 0-2 lead (4-3), and Michieletto soon followed suit with another two-point service run (7-5). The yellow-blues capitalized on this momentum, trying to break away (10-7, Romanò error from the back row), but Piacenza quickly equalized at 13-all with an ace from Simon and a pipe error from Lavia. The game intensity increased, particularly in the back row, where both teams excelled in defense (16-16). Kozamernik’s quick attack gave Trentino a two-point lead (19-17), forcing Piacenza's coach Travica to call his first timeout. After the break, a Rychlicki ace and a block by Kozamernik on Simon propelled Trentino to a 4-point lead (21-17). Trentino managed their advantage well, reaching 23-20, but Maar pulled Piacenza closer (23-22). A kill by Michieletto and Romanò’s service error sealed the first set 25-23.
After the court switch, Piacenza came out strong, with Mandiraci and Romanò attacking with great power, putting Itas Trentino on the back foot (2-4 and 6-9). A well-placed ace from Mandiraci on Lavia further widened the gap, forcing Soli to call a timeout. After the break, two consecutive aces from Sbertoli brought Trentino back into the game (10-11), and they equalized at 14-all with a well-executed attack from Lavia. Piacenza regained a 3-point advantage thanks to kills from Romanò and Maar (16-19), and Trentino struggled in their side-out game, giving Piacenza more breathing room (16-21). However, the home team didn’t give up, trying to rally with Michieletto’s attacking power and Gabi Garcia's serving (an ace brought them to 22-23). However, their hopes were dashed when Maar scored with a pipe attack, closing the second set 23-25.
Itas Trentino responded promptly at the start of the third set, immediately gaining a three-point lead (6-3) thanks to Rychlicki. Piacenza tried to come back with the usual Mandiraci (9-8), but soon lost contact again (12-8) due to Flavio's blocks, first on Romanò and then on Maar. However, the same Italian opposite hitter, with his serve, put his team back on track (two consecutive aces for 14-12). Yet, it was just a momentary comeback as Trento surged ahead once more (16-13 and 20-15), led by Kozamernik and Michieletto. The home team managed their advantage well (23-19) and moved to a 2-1 lead (25-21), taking advantage of Maar's service error.
Itas Trentino pushed hard at the beginning of the fourth set as well (4-2 and 7-4) with Rychlicki and an in-form Lavia. Piacenza did not fall apart and, with Maar's contribution, almost immediately equalized (8-8). In the middle of the set, both teams moved in tandem until 13-13, before a block from Galassi on the Calabrian hitter ensured a two-point lead for the visitors (13-15). The yellow-blues, with Michieletto, quickly leveled the score at 16-16 and then took the lead again with Alessandro (18-17), eventually reaching a +2 lead again thanks to Captain Sbertoli's serve (20-18). Serving continued to create breakthroughs, as evidenced by three consecutive aces from Romanò, interrupted only by a time-out from coach Soli, which completely turned the situation around to 21-23. The tie-break came at 23-25 after a service error by Rychlicki.
In the fifth and decisive set, both teams alternated in the lead for the entire first half (4-5, 7-6, and 7-8). Serving continued to dictate the pace, but blocking also played a role (a one-man block by Maar on Gabi Garcia, who had replaced Rychlicki) allowing the visitors to fly to a +2 lead (8-10). Trento did not give up and, thanks to a mistake by the Canadian hitter, closed the gap (11-12) and immediately tied again with a block by Michieletto on Maar. The contest reached deuce (14-14), where the home team canceled three match points from the visitors (16-16) before taking the lead with Kozamernik and closing the match with Michieletto on the first opportunity (18-16).

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