Dinamo Molfetta defeated head-on against ASEM Bari in the play-offs

Dinamo CAB Molfetta was defeated in the penultimate match of the season at Pala Poli against ASEM Volley Bari, earning, however, applause from the public. A head-on defeat for coach Michele Drago’s girls who in the days preceding the match against the Bari team, but also a few moments before the start of the match, had to deal with the defections of almost half of the roster. Forced to field the least used athletes throughout the season, Dinamo managed to hold its own as well as it could at ASEM Volleyball. Also making her debut was the very young Maria Porta in the role of setter, author of an excellent match that greatly satisfied coach Drago, as reiterated by himself after the match.

In a late afternoon with a surreal atmosphere at the Pala Poli which coincides with the imminent end of the season, the news of the match between Dinamo Molfetta and ASEM Bari takes its time. With a team decimated by last-minute defections (like that of Erika Panunzio herself and Antonella Mastropasqua), the girls in the orange shirts try to keep up with their opponents who at the start of the first set place a substantial lead that is difficult to recover. At 6-15 Zakrajšek and Parisi try to close the gap, just as Sciancalepore’s serve scores shortly after. Dinamo plays with heart which is not enough to prevent the Bari team from winning the first set with a score of 17-25. In the second set the music doesn’t change because ASEM immediately takes the lead by three points and in a few minutes they reach 5-18 which leaves Dinamo with little hope. Porta finds the point directly on serve and shortly afterwards he perfectly raises a ball for Fracchiolla who does well to find the winning gap in Bari’s defence.

Few but important flashes of play that please coach Drago, although the second set also ends at 12-25 for ASEM. The start of the third set is more balanced: after the guest takes the first lead, Fracchiolla responds by leveling the score first at 2-2 and then at 3-3. Shortly after ASEM takes off again at 4-8, but the girls in orange shirts try to keep close to the Bari team. It is Sciancalepore who scores the point which is -2 from Asem at 8-10, followed by two consecutive goals from Parisi. Dinamo’s mini break does not prevent the Bari team from extending their lead and closing the third set at 13-25. A defeat with a less bitter taste due to the good response of the second lines. «I have little to say about the match, for a practically one-sided match – commented coach Drago – but I am satisfied with how the team reacted to some last-minute difficulties, just as I congratulate the young Maria Porta who played a good match in the role of setter.”

Dinamo CAB Molfetta will close its season on Saturday 18 May at 7pm at the Pala Fiori in Terlizzi against league leaders Zest.