“There is no defeat in the heart of those who struggle.” The fans’ banner, once the last ball has fallen, is completely spot on. Because this Savino Del Bene Scandicci, who had never reached the final stage of the playoff race, really fought, but had to accept that she had been beaten by a stronger opponent who was more experienced in stunts of this kind.
Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano, in a PalaWanny sold out and bubbling with enthusiasm, also took game 4 and the scudetto, finishing in its showcase for the seventh time, the seventh in a row. The blue and whites really did their best to rebalance the series and play it all out, managing to win the first set in a sprint, but the panthers in the other three proved to be much more cynical in winning this match.
It wasn’t enough to get to game 5 Ekaterina Antropova, who landed 22 balls with 46% in attack: Isabelle Haak once again proved implacable (29 points and 50% offensive efficiency) and was nominated in well deserved best player of these finals.
Scandicci ends its season with its head held high, having demonstrated exponential growth especially in the last part, and can console itself with its second consecutive participation in the Champions League. The future, of course, is all to be written: there will no longer be Massimo Barbolini on the bench, in his place probably Stephane Antiga. Naturally hoping that we can continue on this path.
The match
Barbolini chooses Nwakalor diagonally with Carol as the basic sextet; in the direction is Ognjenovic, opposite Antropova, spikers Herbots and Zhu, libero Parrocchiale.
Biancoblù aggressive at the start with Herbots (4-1). Plummer recovers with the equalizing block (4-4), but Antropova extends further with the same fundamental (8-5). Haak with strength manages to overturn it (17-18), but a couple of errors, first by Cook and then by Wolosz, who commits an invasion, determine the Tuscan counter-overtaking (20-18). Haak again manages to close the gap (23-23) but Scandicci has more in the final and closes at 25-23 (ace by Ruddins poorly controlled by the yellow-blue reception)
The final outcome of the first set galvanizes the blue and whites, who first go 3-0 with Carol’s ace and then 6-2 with Nwakalor. Here, however, another game begins: Plummer takes the lead and single-handedly eliminates the gap (8-8), Cook scores the first overtaking (8-9). Haak doesn’t find the field for a very short time (the videocheck footage is eloquent) and is counter-overtaking Scandicci (12-11). However, Lubian is devastating on serve and the lead is 13-17. Ruddins sends out (14-19), Zhu invades and there are seven set points for Conegliano (17-24). He immediately closes the newly introduced Squarcini from nine meters for the 17-25.
The yellow-blues convince at the start of the third quarter with Haak scoring the first two points, the first blocking after a long rally (0-2). Antropova’s ace puts them on the alert (5-3), but the reaction is furious. The Swedish champion nails the break at 9-12, Plummer nails the break at 11-16. Herbots is the last to surrender (14-16), Cook rejects every attack (14-18). Haak sets out on his own and doesn’t give anything away (17-25).
The intention to close the game (and the championship) is very present in Conegliano, who takes a 0-2 lead with Cook. Antropova with the block makes it 2-2, but then wraps up and allows the guests to extend (4-7). Wolosz from the back (4-8) and Haak (10-15) seem to put the exclamation point on this game 4 (10-15), but Scandicci manages to climb back up to 20 all with Antropova’s block against Cook . In decisive moments, as has often happened in recent years, the Panthers pull out their claws and with Plummer he builds four match points (20-24); Antropova cancels the first, but fires the next serve into the net. Thus it ends with the yellow-blue joy, which still remains on the roof of Italy, the applause remains for Barbolini’s girls.
The scoreboard
Savino Del Bene Scandicci-Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano 1-3 (25-23, 17-25, 17-25, 21-25) series 1-3
Savino Del Bene Scandicci: Alberti, Herbots 10, Zhu 8, Ruddins 1, Di Iulio, Ognjenovic 1, Parrocchiale (L), Armini (L), Nwakalor 7, Washington 1, Carol 7, Antropova 22, Diop 1, Nowakowska ne. All. Barbolini.
Prosecco DOC Imoco Conegliano: Piani (L) ne, Plummer 18, Robinson 10, Squarcini 1, De Kruijf, Gennari, Lubian 12, De Gennaro (L), Haak 29, Bugg ne, Wolosz 2, Lanier ne, Fahr 9, Bardaro . All. Santarelli.
Referees: Cesare and Goitre.
Note: Attendance 3500. Scandicci: winning serves 3, wrong serves 6, attack 36%, reception 58%-36%, blocks 6, errors 17. Conegliano: winning serves 4, wrong serves 12, attack 50%, reception 66%- 40%, blocks 7, errors 22.
