MARSICOVETERE (Potenza) – La Rebirth of Volleyball Lagonegro bid farewell to 2025 in the best possible way, with a fundamental success at the Villa d’Agri Palasport: 3-1 are Banca Macerata Fisiomed MC in the last race of the year (penultimate of the first round of Serie A2 Credem Banca) in a duel with a double meaning. Three important points with a view to salvation – arrived against a direct competitor – and which strongly relaunch the ambitions of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup: the red and whites are flying high 18 points, currently in sixth positionwith a two-point advantage over eighth place (the last one useful for gaining the pass in the Italian trophy). A result that photographs a surprising and, at the same time, frighteningly concrete path.
The start smiled immediately at Rinascita, brilliant in changing the ball and sharp in the attacking phase. Cantagalli, Arasomwan and Raffaelli dictate the law in attack, guaranteeing continuity and rhythm. The first set remains firmly in Lagonegrese control, with a maximum margin of four points until the final 25-21.
The second partial is a manifesto of authority: Lagonegro accelerates, finds the center of the field with continuity and digs in at 19-13. Macerata attempts a reaction at the end, but coach Waldo Kantor’s boys remain lucid and close 25-20, taking the lead to 2-0 with the feeling of having managed the match.
The reaction from the Marche region, however, was not long in coming: the third set changed the score. Romano Giannini’s team finds precision and intensity in all the fundamentals with Bara Fall protagonist in the centre, Novello incisive in place two and the fearsome Bulgarian Karyagin growing in the front. The partial is battled, point by point, until 23-25 which reopens the match.
In the fourth set the balance is constant: Macerata tries to hold on to the match, but in the final the personality and experience of Cantagalli and Raffaelli emerge, surgical in their choices and decisive in the moments that matter. La Rinascita makes the decisive attack and scores the 25-21 which is worth a set, match and three golden points.
THE SESTETS
The Argentine coach confirms Sperotto directed with Cantagalli opposite, arming e Raphaels spikers-receivers, Arasomvan e Tognoni in the center, captain Fortunato free. On the other hand, Giannini – penalized by the last-minute absence of center back Ambrose due to health problems – relies on the direction of former Rinascita Pedron, the opposite Novello, the made-in-Bulgaria bands Zhelev and Karyagin, the center backs Fall and the adapted Diaferia, and libero Gabbanelli.
Rinascita made a rocket start, immediately incisive with Cantagalli (6-4) and Arasomwan (two consecutive first halves for 11-8). The red and white scorer, rewarded before the match with a celebratory shirt for the prestigious milestone of 3,000 career points, punishes again in hands out (14-10) taking advantage of a great reception from Raffaelli. Giannini, forced to take a technical break, rearranges the ideas of his team who try to stay in the wake: Zhelev blocks Arasomwan in the center (17-15), with the same fundamental Karyagin overpowers Raffaelli (21-19). Macerata’s comeback attempt came to a disastrous halt due to the many errors in service and attack, which benefited the red and white cause: however, the usual Cantagalli took care of closing the contest (25-21).
The advantage boosted the self-esteem of Kantor’s gang, who pressed their foot on the accelerator even at the start of the second half. Tognoni attacks well in the first half (4-3), Arasomwan imitates him for 7-5, Armenante scores the ace for 9-5. Except for a pipe from Karyagin (14-10) and a block from Zhelev on Cantagalli (15-11), the set goes quickly in favor of the hosts. Armenante explodes the Villa d’Agri stadium with a monster block on Novello (16-11), Arasomwan does what he wants in the center (18-12), Raffaelli screams his presence in place four (19-13). The set point (24-19) is won by Cantagalli, but the exclamation point (25-20) comes on yet another error in Macerata’s service, on this occasion by Zhelev.
At the moment in which the match seems to be heading towards Lagonegro, the people from the Marche region react vehemently. The powerful center back Bara Fall, with a powerful attack in the first half, wins the first ever break for his team (4-6), Zhelev accompanies him for the 5-7, Fall again is relentless for the 6-8. A good turn at the service of Sperotto allows Rinascita to get ahead (10-9). The set is an exciting point-to-point ride, the result of Macerata’s desire to resume the thread of the discussion. The tie was momentarily interrupted at the end thanks to Mastracci, who entered the field at 21-21, and authored the second Lagonegrese ace. Macerata, however, responds blow for blow and, with a Fall as the absolute protagonist of the set, ends in its favor with a score of 23-25.
The fourth set was also good and hard-fought: the guests seem to have more fuel in their legs and are pushing hard. Karyagin attacks with a pipe (8-10), Diaferia traces a path with his ace (8-11). Sensing the danger of escape, Kantor calls a just and saving time out in an attempt to block the opponent’s offensive. Cantagalli scores at 13-13, Raffaelli shows off an elegant lob for 17-17, Tognoni – in the following exchange – stops an attack by Garello. The small advantage allows Rinascita to regain freshness and clarity, which takes the decisive shot. Cantagalli first stops Fall on the block (21-19), then takes the set point (24-20) using the hands of the opponent’s block. The 23rd, and heavy, error from nine meters by Banca Macerata (25-21) triggers the celebration and the apotheosis of the over six hundred red and white fans.
Mister 3,000 points, Diego Cantagalli, signs another excellent performance, scoring 26 points (top scorer of the match). Furthermore, i 13 winning wallsil 48% in attack and the 66% positive reception they certify a success, all things considered, never in question.
A victory, therefore, which weighs on the ranking and self-esteem: because it comes against a direct competitor for salvation, because it consolidates a growing path and because it fuels the dream called Italian Cup. 2025 ends with an increasingly stronger team identity, a surprising ranking and an indoor stadium that confirms itself as the home and emotional fuel of a team that never stops believing in it.
La Rinascita will return to the field in the new year to close the first round (Sunday 4 January away againstEssence Hotel Fano), with the desire to defend the position gained and continue to write a story that, to date, smells of ever-growing enthusiasm.
THE MATCH SCORESHEET
LAGONEGRO VOLLEYBALL REBIRTH: Fortunato (L1), Arasomwan (9), Esposito, Raffaelli (15), Pegoraro, Cantagalli (26), Tognoni (6), Armenante (5), Sperotto (1), Andonovic, Mastracci (1), De Angelis (L2), Sanchi. All.: Waldo Kantor
BANK MACERATA FISIOMED MC: Novello (16), Pedron (3), Garello (2), Pesciaroli, Fall (12), Diaferia (6), Zhelev (13), Gabbanelli (L1), Karyagin (17), Dolcini (L2), Talevi, Becchio. All.: Romano Giannini
Score: 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21)
Set duration: 26’, 26’, 30’, 31’
Referees: Michele Marconi, Antonio Gaetano
Notes | Lagonegro: aces 2, service errors 11, winning blocks 13, reception pos 66% – prf 49%, attack 48%
Macerata: aces 2, service errors 23, winning blocks 7, reception pos 64% – prf 43%, attack 51%.
Press Office – Volleyball Rebirth Lagonegro
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