A bitter epilogue. The Volley Club Grottaglie loses 3-0 (25-27, 17-25, 19-25) against Reggio Calabria and must say goodbye to dreams of glory for the A3. Therefore in the triangular promotion playoff, in which two Apulian teams were included, the third party enjoyed the victory. The Amaranth team in fact finishes with full points with 6 points, Taviano remains at 3, by virtue of the derby won, and Grottaglie is at the bottom of the table with 0. In effect it was an in or out, which was played on the sharp edge of joy as well as of bitterness, since it would have been enough for Reggio to win just one set to jump for joy. On the contrary, Grottaglie should have won with the exclusive score of 3-0, without any ifs or buts.
Grottaglie starts off well with Fiore’s attacks and Antonazzo’s winning first half, to which are added Cazzaniga’s two aces for the 13-9; on the other side of the pitch, Domotek relies on the attacks of Laganà, an opponent born in ’95 from Reggio Calabria, to mend the gap and bring the Apulian team back on track (16-14). A contested attack by Tasholli, declared out, together with Illuzzi’s ace and Laganà’s point allow the Calabrians to equalize the score at 19-19. Grottaglie regains his composure, does not lose his head and with Cazzaniga and Tasholli creates the new breakthrough (22-19). Laganà and Renzo close the gap again, then Picardo blocks Cazzaniga and restores parity at 22-22. But the experience of the former Castellana Grotte player is fundamental to get out of the delicate moment of the match: he again, together with Tasholli, scored for 24-22. Laganà cancels the first set point, Antonazzo sends out the first half to make it 24-24. Schifilliti turns the situation around, new draw with Antonazzo. Fiore is unable to play on the block and sends out, then Laganà closes the game at 25-27 and gives Reggio Calabria promotion to Serie A3 after just one set.
Playing the rest of the match, already aware of the response of the pitch, is harmful from a psychological point of view for coach Giosa’s team. The enthusiasm drops dramatically and can also be seen from the stands of the Palazzetto Campitelli, almost halved compared to the first glance at the start of the match. Grottaglie is visibly tense while Reggio plays on the wings of enthusiasm, also supported by around fifty fans who came from Calabria to support coach Polimeni’s boys. Despite this, Fiore and his teammates try to stay in the game (9-12). Caiaffa makes too many mistakes in attack, Alabrese replaces him at 9-14 but the guests have control of the game and take advantage of every moment of confusion for the Granata. The advantage is considerable (10-18), Giosa’s men have pulled out all the stops and are suffering mentally and also on the pitch. The game is now played only for the statistics: it ends 17-25.
The morale of the Grottaglie team is practically in ruins, the team of owner Quaranta struggles to respond to the amaranth attacks: a timid reaction arrives in the third set (from 5-7 to 16-14), then the Calabrians impact at 16-16 and they step on the accelerator for the decisive sprint. It ends 19-25 for Domotek, who takes home the match 0-3. The party for Reggio Calabria can continue, for the Volley Club Grottaglie only a lot of regret for a season finale different from expectations. However, the great progress made by coach Giosa’s team during the championship remains, but the great, great disappointment for not being able to take advantage of the double opportunity to move up in category.
