Kemas Lamipel S. Croce-Torretta Livorno 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-17)
HOLY CROCE WOLVES: Russo 5, Matteini 7, Camarri L. 1, Gallina 2, Moretti (L), Montini 3, Garibaldi 8, Baldini 7, Loreti (L), Gjoni, Mati 15, Pieri, Sorri, Cani. All. Pagliai
LIVORNO TOWER: Galoppini 1, Cavallini Fe., Cavallini Fr, Pellumbi (L), Biondi 5, Liuzzo 2, Del Mastio 6, Auf Der Heyde 1, Pribaz 4, Fiori 2, Papini (L), Vassena, Romanacci 3, Franchini.
The Lupi Santa Croce are regional Under 19 champions for the third consecutive season. In the final four in Sesto Fiorentino the red and whites achieved a double 3-0 in the semi-final (against Emma Villas La Bulletta) and final (against Torretta Livorno), showing an increasing physical and technical condition. The final, played at the Pala Lilly in front of a good crowd, with many fans coming from S. Croce, had few moments of balance, with the red and whites always ahead. Lots of applause for the play of the Pagliai boys, aggressive in attack and very organized on the block. The goal of the third title is achieved, and now for this group the preparation phase for the national teams in San Giustino, Umbria, from 14 to 19 May begins.
Kemas Lamipel takes the field with Gallina and Mati diagonally, Russo and Baldini in the center, Matteini and Garibaldi on the sides, Loreti libero. Torretta responds with Galoppini-Pribaz, Del Mastio-Fiori, Romanacci-Liuzzo, Pellumbi libero.
First set Kemas Lamipel immediately ahead with Mati’s attacks and Matteini’s block (7-3). An ace from Baldini is worth +6. Orsolini time-out. The red and whites continue to push, few errors and a lot of pressure on the opposing sextet. Garibaldi exits the turn of service at 14-7. Torretta spends the second discretionary on 17-8. Pieri comes into service and favors a great point from Garibaldi: 19-10. The set is red and white: Garibaldi wins the set point and an attacking error by Livorno sets the score at 25-14.
Second set The second half is more balanced, in the initial stages. The first red and white break was scored by Matteini, 7-5. Mati bursts the parallel for 9-6, Pagliai’s team tries to extend but is held back by a few too many errors on serve. At 12-9 Orsolini, after an attacking error by his team, still stops the game. Upon returning, Garibaldi pulls out a monster block on Fiori, + 4 Lupi. Another block by Russo on Del Mastio, 17-12. An error in reconstruction by Labronici and an attack by Matteini further increase the gap in the score (19-12) and the opposing bench opts for technical “time”. It’s the set of blocks: Baldini’s one on Galoppini brings the red and whites to 21. Gallina of first intention finds the 23-16, Mati finds the set-point on the following exchange. An error by Biondi in attack makes it 25-17 for the Wolves.
Third set The partial starts off great for Pagliai’s boys. Mati hits a bomb to make it 3-0 and explodes the stadium. At 6-2 there is an immediate time-out for Torretta. The Wolves are rampant. Ace by Baldini for 10-3. Montini replaces Matteini, he takes the lead at 17-9. Torretta, fresh from the semi-final tie-break, seems to have no more. At 20-11 Orsolini uses the discretionary second. Camarri enters the field for Gallina, and Moretti as libero defense. Montini puts down a great pipe, 21-11. The set point is gained by Camarri on the block, Baldini’s “7” closes the score and unleashes the party. Regional champions.
