Bulgarian outside hitter Rusi Zhelev scored 9 points in Conad Reggio Emilia's dramatic 3:2 (25:18, 25:22, 14:25, 15:25, 15:11) away victory over Palmi in the third round of the Italian Serie A2.
The match in "PalaSurace" hall offered two completely different periods of play. The visitors controlled the first two sets, after which they suffered a serious decline and allowed the hosts to equalize. In the decisive fifth set, however, Reggio Emilia found the strength to achieve victory.
Zhelev started as a starter in all five sets, scoring all 9 of his points from attack. The Bulgarian played an important role in the second set, when his successful attack brought the last point for Reggio Emilia and a 2:0 set lead.
At the beginning of the match, the visitors gradually imposed their advantage. After an 8:8 tie in the first set, Reggio Emilia took an 11:8 lead, and subsequently increased the difference, closing the set at 25:18.
The second set developed more competitively. Palmi took a 6:4 lead after a successful block by Marco Valbuza, but the visitors equalized at 11:11 and gradually took the initiative. In the final rallies, they maintained their advantage, and Zhelev ended the dispute with a successful attack for 25:22.
After that, however, the picture on the court changed sharply. The hosts increased the effectiveness of their block and took a 9:3 lead in the third set. Their lead continued to grow, with Palmi winning convincingly 25:14.
A similar scenario was repeated in the fourth set. The hosts dictated the tempo, and Andrea Canella and Raul Parolari made a significant contribution to the 25:15 success, which sent the match to a tie-break.
In the decisive set, the two teams were evenly matched until 4:4. After that, Reggio Emilia managed to pull away, with a successful attack by Riccardo Mian bringing a 7:5 lead. The visitors maintained their advantage, and a block by Martin Chevalier against Matheus Motzo sealed the final 15:11.
The most effective scorer for the winners was Riccardo Mian with 18 points, followed by Martin Chevalier with 16 and Nicolas Sighinolfi with 10. Rusi Zhelev and Martins Arasomwan added 9 each.
For Palmi, Matheus Motzo scored 26 points, Andrea Canella finished with 19, including 5 from blocks, and Raul Parolari added 14.
With the defeat, the hosts earned their first point of the season, but continue to await their first victory. Palmi also remains with personnel problems due to the absence of Basic and Diamantini, as well as the incomplete readiness of Roland Gergye.
For Reggio Emilia, the success is their second since the start of the championship and their first away win, although the team had to go through serious fluctuations after squandering a two-set lead.
photo:legdvolley.it
