Nova Novokuybyshevsk inflicted a fourth loss on Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in their home match in the Samara region, part of the 22nd round of the Russian Super League. The match offered serious fluctuations, and in the decisive tie-break, the hosts dominated and closed the encounter with a convincing 15:9, setting the final score at 3:2 (26:24, 20:25, 23:25, 25:19, 15:9).

First set: Nova snatched the drama after 30 minutes – 26:24.

The start was better for the guests from Novosibirsk, who took the lead in the very first rallies and maintained a 2-3 point advantage, with Simeon Nikolov scoring as early as 3:5. Gradually, however, Nova pressed with serves, closed the gap, and equalized at 18:18, after which they took the initiative.

The hosts reached their first set point at 24:22 after a service error by Kurkaev, but Lokomotiv forced the set into overtime. In the key moments, a service error by Nikolov followed, and after a strong serve and poor reception by the guests, Nova closed the set 26:24.

Second set: Nikolov provided impetus, Loko equalized – 20:25.

The second set started evenly, but gradually Lokomotiv began to control the tempo. Two consecutive aces by Simeon Nikolov for 7:9 and 7:10 gave the guests breathing room and brought calmness to their play. Our national setter continued to be active in attack as well – 13:17 after his hit, and later added another point with a deep drop shot for 15:22.

The first set point came at 19:24 after a block-out. Peric brought back a point with an ace, but Lokomotiv closed the set, having an advantage in blocking and attacking, as well as in positive reception – 25:20.

Third set: Lokomotiv turned the pressure and took the lead – 23:25.

The third set was again "on the edge," but in the middle, the guests took advantage of hesitation in Nova's ranks and built up a lead. Then came a relaxation in Lokomotiv's play, which allowed the hosts to make a four-point run and equalize at 20:20.

Exchanges followed until 23:23, and Loko's first set point came after a service error by Nova. Immediately after that, Nikolov stepped up to serve; his serve made reception difficult, and the guests' block did the rest – Lokomotiv took the set 25:23 and led 2:1.

Fourth set: Nova brought the match to a tie-break – 25:19.

The fourth set was under the control of the hosts. Nova took the lead from the start and gradually increased their advantage, which reached 17:10. Lokomotiv regained three points, but the difference remained too large to be overcome.

In this set, a rare moment occurred – Plamen Konstantinov was invited to personally review the video challenge, something that doesn't happen often (this was repeated in the tie-break). Despite this, Nova maintained concentration and closed the set after an out-of-bounds attack by Markin for 25:19, sending the match to a tie-break.

Tie-break: Nightmarish start for Loko and a decisive finish – 15:9.

The decisive fifth set started dreadfully for Lokomotiv. The hosts gained an early advantage with two consecutive aces, and a series of service errors from both sides further disrupted the guests' rhythm. Although Loko had moments where they could have come back, Nova scored the more crucial points and dictated the rallies.

After an ace, the score became 10:7, then an attack went out for 11:7, a block for 12:7, and match point was at 14:8. After two consecutive service errors from both sides, the scoreboard showed the final 15:9 and a 3:2 victory for Nova Novokuybyshevsk.

Nikolov with 7 points and 3 aces, but Loko couldn't hold on in the decisive moments.

Bulgarian setter Simeon Nikolov finished with 7 points, but with -1 in efficiency. Nevertheless, he was among Lokomotiv's most visible figures from the service line, recording 3 aces and 1 block.

Lokomotiv also received strong support from its main scorers:

• Kurbanov – 20 points.

• Kazachenkov – 14 points

• Brazhnyuk – 14 points

• Kurkaev – 10 points

These numbers, however, were not enough for a win, because in the fourth game and the tie-break, the guests lost control of the match and gave up the initiative.

Zubov was "above all" – 32 points, +21, and 7(!) blocks

The real difference came from the other side of the net. Nikolay Zubov played a top-level game:

• 32 points

• +21

• 1 ace

• 7(!) blocks

• 60% attack efficiency

This is a performance rarely seen even in the Superleague – 7 blocks from one player are a direct sentence for any attack, especially in a match decided in a tie-break. It was there that Nova "locked down" Lokomotiv and gave them no chance to return.

Here are the statistics from the match:

At first glance, Lokomotiv performed better in two key elements – attack (47% vs. 45%) and reception (43% vs. 34%), but this did not bring them victory. Nova compensated with a sharper serve (9 aces) and a more solid block (13 block points), which proved decisive in the most important moments – the fourth set and the tie-break. Additionally, Lokomotiv's 30 errors were too high a price in a match decided in the fifth set, while Nova maintained better discipline and deservedly achieved success.