Volleyball: Superlega, Siena beats Monza and reopens the race for salvation

Last day of the first round, decisive to complete the picture of the 8 participants in the Italian Cup

Siena-Monza 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 28-26, 25-21) With Pelillo in place of Montagnani Siena returns to victory after a month and a half. Driven by captain Petric (20 points), Emma Villas eliminated Monza from the Italian Cup, but above all returned to the race for salvation which, after the collapse in Padua, seemed seriously compromised. Yet the guests had got off to a much better start, collecting blocks (four) on Van Garderen, so much so as to force Pelillo to replace him with Raffaelli. It is the move that, combined with Pinelli and Pereyra’s entries for Finoli and Pinali, allows Siena to place a run of seven consecutive points to go from 13-18 to 20-18. Monza goes back on with Davyskiba and Maar (20-22), Siena cancels a set point with Petric who then also signs the ace, with the help of the tape, of 25-24. Pereyra closes the set.

There is Maar

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Monza recovers three points in the second set (15-12 Emma Villas) driven above all by Maar. Davyskiba places the break (17-19), Ricci blocks and makes it 20-20, a mistake by Petric raises Vero Volley up to +2 which then closes the set when Maar blocks Pinali. The blue opposite at the beginning of the third set gives way to Pereyra. Eccheli’s team goes up +4 with Davyskiba (9-13), again the Belarusian for a +3 (17-20) which seems comfortable. Pelillo dusts off Van Garderen from the bench, gets two points from Petric and draws. Siena pays no duty for a mistake by Finoli, cancels three setpoints and stamps the 28-26 block with Raffaelli at the first opportunity. Siena starts very strong in the fourth quarter (8-3) and never looks back, galvanized by a hitherto unexpressed performance. Monza approaches with Davyskiba (16-14), a couple of blocks by Raffaelli and Petric restore a safety margin (19-15) which the hosts manage until the final 25-21. (Stefano Salvadori)