THE SEVENTH SEAL!! PROSECCO DOC IMOCO CHAMPION OF ITALY! – Imoco Volley Conegliano

The start of the match was all Tuscan-style, 4-1 for Savino who defended well and counter-attacked successfully, but coach Santarelli’s girls immediately entered the game and immediately equalized with Plummer’s block. Scandicci tries again, block from Antropova for +3 (8-5) and this time there is a yellow-blue time out. Captain Wolosz relies on Plummer to try to connect, but Antropova doesn’t make a mistake and the hosts remain ahead (11-8). Alessia Gennari enters on the second line, but despite the shots from Lubian and Haak she remains at -3 (14-11) because as usual in these finals Savino doesn’t make a single mistake. The Panthers’ wall then takes center stage, first Fahr then Robinson Cook bringing Prosecco DOC Imoco back into contact (15-14). At 16-15 Bardaro is also in for the “back lap” and the baby panther immediately gives substance to the defense allowing Haak to equalize at 17. Time out by coach Barbolini, but when the game resumes, Bardaro dives again and the counterattack of the Swede for the first advantage of Conegliano which overtakes 17-18.

We fight point by point, an invasion gives the home team a new +2 (20-18), but after coach Santarelli’s time out there is a block of -1 from Asia Wolosz. As per tradition of this exciting championship final, the set is decided by the details, the Prosecco DOC Imoco has a flash that sends it to a draw with the winning shot by Bella Haak (7 points in the set, like Antropova), 23-23. The last balls, however, belong to Savino: Herbots scores the 24-23, the Brazilian Carol places the mocking final ace and Scandicci wins 25-23, a set always led.

The start of the second set is uphill for Prosecco DOC Imoco, Carol’s serves still hurt and Conegliano has to chase (4-1). Savino del Bene is very hot and pushed by her audience she puts the Venetians on the ropes, coach Santarelli has to call time out at 6-2. The energy of Lubian and Plummer keeps Conegliano close, a nice hat-trick from the Californian reopens the game (7-6), then Robinson Cook equalizes at 8 and the Gialloblù’s confidence returns. A great defense by “Kesh” who then goes on to finish gives the guests the first advantage (8-9). De Gennaro leads the second line and the Panthers seem to have regained confidence, Marina Lubian is the protagonist of a great serving series (with two aces) and also lights up in defense to propitiate an important break: 13-17. Scandicci, under pressure, begins to make mistakes and the Gialloblù lead expands (14-21). The defense wall of Prosecco DOC Imoco is now impenetrable and the set goes smoothly until the end with 17-25 (closing with an ace from Fede Squarcini, making his debut in the final) and putting the situation back on level terms.

Third set and in the wake of the previous one the Panthers continue to push, Haak scores the 0-2, but Antropova is not there and with a series of her attacks and aces brings a never tamed Savino del Bene back ahead (5-3). However, Prosecco DOC Imoco keeps the pace high, hits the block a lot and Asia Wolosz with excellent reception can make her attack work like clockwork, with Plummer, Haak and Robinson in great form. With great aggression and an orderly game the yellow-blue team takes the lead (10-13). Moki De Gennaro doesn’t drop a ball and the Italian champions continue to rack up points, with a literally unleashed Kat Plummer sending Prosecco DOC Imoco on the run (11-16). The 150 yellow and blue fans make themselves heard at PalaWanny, dazed by the authoritarian pace of the guests. Ruddins is on the pitch with Di Iulio and Diop and coach Barbolini’s move has its effects with Herbots’ points putting the match back on balance (14-16) forcing Conegliano to time out. Plummer is still “on fire”, but over there the lioness Herbots is roaring (15-18) and the fight continues. There is also Bella Haak in the yellow-blue arsenal and the Swede with a double favored by the monster defenses of De Gennaro and Robinson Cook launches the Panthers towards winning the third set: 15-20.
After the home team’s time out, Prosecco DOC Imoco doesn’t stop, Plummer (exceptional set for Kat with 6 points and 50% in attack) also works overtime on the block and the gap widens (15-22). Captain Wolosz also scores Fahr, then Bella Haak, always relentless (11 points, 2 blocks and 61% offensive for the Swedish star) with the two points of the bracket puts the Prosecco DOC in the freezer: 17-25 and the public of fede gialloblù begins to dream.

The fourth set is the one of truth after a championship final played without breathing space by two great teams. The first minibreak is for Prosecco DOC Imoco with Marina Lubian in fast (2-4), but Ognjenovic and her teammates continue to play well and make the road to the seventh championship difficult for Conegliano. Asia Wolosz, however, makes her class count, with a poisonous ace from the captain for 4-8. The Panthers play at their highest level, even Gennari’s entry into the defense is productive, while Haak and Plummer “popular” by captain Wolosz put down balls in bursts (10-15). Savino tries again with Zhu Ting (12-15), but a warrior De Gennaro keeps the bar straight and Prosecco DOC Imoco holds the advantage also thanks to Lubian’s fast prowess.
Again Zhu Ting and Herbots, who have to make up for an Antropova well marked by the yellow-blue wall, try to hang up, getting close to -1 (16-17). PalaWanny lights up for the comeback of the Tuscans, but the award-winning Wolosz-Haak company does not betray and is again +2 (16-18). De Gennaro works overtime in defense and reception, then Bardaro also returns for the last lap on the second line. With determination and heart the Panthers repel Savino’s attack, Haak forcefully scores the 18-20, but it’s not over, Antropova equalizes at 20 with the block. Everything to do again. It’s an open court battle for a white-hot final set, Plummer gives oxygen at 20-22, Antropova makes a mistake, Plummer doesn’t and it’s 20-24. At the second match ball Scandicci misses his serve and wins the CHAMPIONSHIP!!

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