Vero Volley (Monza) ended their negative streak and returned to winning ways against one of the league's contenders - Cucine Lube (Civitanova). The match from the midweek 9th round of the SuperLega offered a "Bulgarian derby" and more volleyball than expected, with the hosts demonstrating more stable play in crucial moments and deservedly triumphing.
The hosts' team play was key to their success: four players finished with double-digit points, Monza scored 13 blocks, and libero Leonardo Scanferla orchestrated the back-row defense and deservedly became the MVP of the match, despite an injury at the end of the game.

Martin Atanasov was among the most important figures for Monza. The outside hitter played a strong match as a starter and finished with 15 points, including 1 block, showing 50% attack efficiency and solid reception. He was second in scoring for the team and crucial in the first two sets, which set the pace of the match.

Zhasmin Velichkov appeared in the first two sets and managed to register a scoring block, contributing in critical rallies and demonstrating stability at the net.

Top scorer of the match - Aleksandar Nikolov

Despite the loss, Aleksandar Nikolov was the most active scorer of the match. The Bulgarian national delivered another impressive performance for Lube and finished with 26 points - 5 aces, 3 blocks, and 42% attack efficiency, complemented by 70% positive reception. Despite his dominance, the visitors failed to find consistency to turn the tide of the match.

Result

Monza – Lube 3:1 (25:23, 25:21, 21:25, 25:14)

Brief match overview

Monza started more aggressively from the beginning and dictated the tempo in the first two sets, exploiting the weaknesses in the visitors' reception. Lube managed to get back into the match with a more organized attack in the third set, but the hosts reacted quickly – their stable block and varied offense in the fourth set ultimately tipped the scales. For Monza, this is a strategic success after a series of six consecutive defeats, while Lube remains without an away win since the start of the season. It is noteworthy that the match was quite emotional, due to which referee Andrea Pucker showed two yellow and two red cards, one of which, unfortunately, was received by Alex Nikolov, and because of this, the third set started directly with a 1:0 advantage for the hosts.
Statistics confirm Monza's greater tactical and technical superiority. The hosts showed a more aggressive, yet more effective serve – 8 direct points, with fewer risky errors than Lube. A huge advantage also came from blocking: 13 against 7, which clearly reveals Civitanova's difficulties in finishing rallies. Monza also made fewer unforced errors, and their attack efficiency – 45% against 41% – indicates a more stable primary play and higher precision from their outside hitters. These parameters, combined, explain why Massimo Eccheli's team managed to control the match for three sets and achieve a decisive victory.

Next matches

In the regular 10th round:

• Lube visits Modena – Saturday, December 6, 7:00 PM.

• Monza also plays away – against Padova with Boris Nachev – Monday, December 8, 6:30 PM.

Standings

The standings reflect a clear dominance of Perugia and Verona at the start of the season, while Lube remains in the chasing pack. Monza, despite a difficult start, shows signs of stabilization with this victory and is approaching the middle of the table.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov