Banca Macerata started the second half of the season strongly with a dominant 3:0 home win (25:22, 25:22, 25:21), with Bulgarian national team members and outside hitters Rusi Zhelev and Denis Karyagin at its core. The two played a very solid match on the wings of the net and made a key contribution to the hosts' control in each of the three sets.

Rusi Zhelev finished with 8 points, +3, 1 block, 65% positive and 24% perfect reception, and 47% attack efficiency. Besides his stable play in attack, he also stood out with important interventions in blocking and reception, which maintained Macerata's tempo in the most tense moments.

Denis Karyagin added 12 points, +3, 75% positive and 36% perfect reception, 1 block, and 38% attack efficiency. He was particularly effective in the first two sets, when Catania kept the score close until the very end.

The guests from Catania showed resistance mainly in the first and second sets, but in the decisive rallies, better organization and fewer errors tipped the scales in favor of Macerata. In the third set, the hosts quickly built up a lead and comfortably closed out the match.

Photos: Legvolley.it