In the advance of the second day of A-1 the Tuscans close the practice despite a drop in tension in the third and fourth sets, but avoid the tie break by resisting the return of the guests led by Williams
SCANDICCI-PERUGIA 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 28-26)
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Scandicci takes the 3 points in their home debut of the season, beating Perugia 3-1. Not always an easy match for Gaspari’s girls, who are ahead 2-0 and lose the effectiveness of their block defense in the third and fourth sets. The Umbrian Black Angels reacted well to an uphill start, played a good level game in defence, and relied on Williams in attack. In the last fraction they also have the chance to take the match to the fifth, but the fragility of the block makes itself felt and Antropova (MVP of the match) becomes unstoppable again. For Gaspari I start with the Ognjenovic-Antropova diagonal (the latter was awarded at the start of the match as top scorer and winner of the ace ranking last season), Skinner-Bosetti on the lateral sides, Weitzel-Graziani in the center with Castillo libero. Giovi responds with Ricci as director, Williams as opposite, Gardini and Perinelli as flankers, Lemmens-Mazzaro as central defenders and Recchia as libero (with Sirressi still injured). After a balanced start, from 11-12 a 5-0 with 3 diagonals in a row from Antropova split the fraction, with the guests making too many mistakes and not being incisive in attack. After 25-20, a monologue from Savino del Bene begins: the start is 17-7 (with Bartoccini MC Restauri’s serve ineffective), and the 2-0 (25-18) arrives without too many problems. Giovi’s team, however, responds, finding a Williams with 9 points in the third set and the rest of the team ordered behind. Scandicci messes up, Perugia thanks (23-25) and reopens the match.
final battle
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Also because now the guests believe in it, Williams drags them along, Gardini recovers after a decline and together with Perinelli is decidedly effective. Ognjenovic exploits Weitzel very well (his match was good), and the return of Skinner (out for Franklin) together with the growth of Antropova turns the set and match. Two match points wasted by the locals, a set point canceled in Perugia, then Kate’s ace and the block from the German powerhouse extinguished Bartoccini’s remaining hopes (28-26).
Scandicci: Antropova 22 points, Muri team 8, Ace team 9 (Skinner 4).
Perugia: Williams 24 points, Muri team 3, Ace team 9 (Williams 4). Rodolfo Palermo