Rusi Zhelev made an impressive debut in the Italian Serie A2. The Bulgarian outside hitter scored 29 points and was instrumental in Reggio Emilia's 3:2 (25:16, 20:25, 38:40, 25:23, 19:17) victory over Belluno in the first round of the championship.
The match in the "Pala Bigi" hall lasted 3 hours and 17 minutes, and Zhelev became the big hero for the hosts, who returned to the second strongest division of Italian volleyball.
After convincingly winning the first set, Reggio Emilia allowed a comeback, with the third set being particularly dramatic. Belluno won it 40:38 after 78 points played - a result that ranked the set among the ten longest in terms of points in the history of Serie A2.

Zhelev's true moment came at the end of the fourth set. Belluno was leading 23:21 and approaching victory, but the hosts narrowed the gap, after which the Bulgarian stepped up to serve. Three consecutive aces by Zhelev turned the score from 22:23 to 25:23 and sent the match into a tie-break.
The Bulgarian outside hitter continued to be among the key figures in the decisive fifth set. He recorded a block for 5:2, a successful attack for 9:7, and brought the first match point at 14:12. Belluno managed to equalize, but Reggio Emilia won 19:17 after a final successful attack by Chevalier.

Zhelev finished as the top scorer in the match with 29 points. For the hosts, Chevalier added 25, and Riccardo Mian - 21. The victory brought Reggio Emilia their first two points of the new season.
In the second round on October 24, the Bulgarian's team will visit Lagonegro.

photos: legavolley.it