Inexplicable defeat. Races Finance San Lucido passes in Sferracavallo in three sets and reopens the survival games which Coach Linda Troiano’s team could have instead closed by winning the three points in the third to last match of the season and in the first of two consecutive home matches. Gbt MedTrade Volley Palermo will receive, on Saturday 4 May, at 6.00 pm, the Messina players from La Saracena Volley, who now have nothing more to ask for from this season. Then, the last day is scheduled, Saturday 11 May, at 6.30 pm, at the home of New Hospital Pallavolo Paola, still in the running to reach safety.
Looking at the rankings, the margin of the yellow and blues from the relegation zone is four points and with a direct clash, that of Paola, still to be played. Which is why destiny is still in the hands of Martina Pirrone and her teammates who will only need to collect three points to be certain of remaining in Serie B2 also next season. President Domenico Arena is categorical: “We are experiencing the epilogue of an exhausting season from a physical and mental point of view with most of the matches played without ever having been in top condition. This result leaves a bitter taste in the mouth because it comes above all from our demerits, without taking anything away from San Lucido’s ability to always stay in the game and take advantage of their greater experience in this category. I just want these two weeks to be spent thinking exclusively about how much we can improve in the approach and how we can eliminate individual and team errors. I am sure that the girls will find the key to opening the gate to salvation together with the technical staff.”
And to say that the match didn’t start badly at all. Indeed, Gbt MedTrade seemed to be in control until they came close to winning the first set, then sensationally lost in the final points. The infinite quantity of service errors were the common thread that linked the three sets, errors that also undermined other certainties of Linda Troiano’s girls, incapable of managing the pressure of having to overturn the result in the second and third sets. On the other side of the net San Lucido just had to limit the errors as much as possible and pushed on the accelerator at the right moment of the sets dragged by her opposite Francesca Leonida, awarded as the best player of the match with her 15 points in total.
Gbt MedTrade Volley Palermo-Races Finance San Lucido 0-3
(24-26, 20-25, 19-25)
GBT MEDTRADE VOLLEY PALERMO: Mancuso 1, Azzolina 9, Pirrone (K) 8, Crapitti 4, Compagno 6, Evola 11, Lo Dico (L); Leone 1, Giannella 1, Smeraldo, Di Maria, Cracolici, Amenta (L), Angelova. Coach: Troiano.
RACES FINANCE SAN LUCIDO: Leonida 15, Mazzuca 5, Carnevale (K) 2, Pagano 11, Mancino 13, Manservisi 11, Spaccarotella (L); Di Lieto, Vommaro, Cesario, Drago, Selvaggi. Coach: Esposito.
Referees: Mass – Alioto.
