Bulgarian national players Denis Karyagin and Rusi Zherev left a significant mark in the Serie A2 derby, won by Banca Macerata Physiomed against Fano with a score of 3:2 (25:17, 22:25, 34:36, 25:17, 15:8) after more than two hours of fierce battle.
Karyagin was once again a leading figure for the winners "," 22 points and an impressive +10 efficiency rating. The receiver added 3 aces, 54% positive reception, and 46% attack efficiency, showcasing his full arsenal in key moments, especially in the tie-break. With this performance, he solidified his position as No. 3 among the top scorers in Serie A2, two rounds before the end of the regular season.
Rusi Zherev also played a strong match, though with a different profile "," 14 points, +4 efficiency, 1 ace, and a total of 5 blocks. The Bulgarian was a factor at the net and contributed significantly in defense with 41% positive reception, albeit with lower attack efficiency "," 29%.
The match saw sharp turnarounds, with Macerata controlling the first, fourth, and fifth sets, while Fano dramatically took the second and third. Ultimately, the guests' class in decisive moments, supported by Karyagin's stable play and collective blocking, brought a valuable victory with an eye on the playoffs.
| Pos. | Team | Points | Matches | Wins | Losses | 3:0 | 3:1 | 3:2 | 2:3 | 1:3 | 0:3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pineto | 52 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Brescia | 50 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | Prata | 50 | 24 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 4 | Ravenna | 50 | 24 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Aversa | 41 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Lagonegro | 39 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | Macerata | 33 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 8 | Porto Viro | 32 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| 9 | Taranto | 31 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| 10 | Catania | 31 | 24 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 11 | Sorrento | 30 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 |
| 12 | Fano | 29 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| 13 | Siena | 24 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| 14 | Cantù | 12 | 24 | 5 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 7 |
Macerata is in 7th place with 33 points and is already in the playoff zone, but with minimal differences from the pursuers, every mistake in the remaining two matches could prove decisive for the final standings. Against sixth-placed Lagonegro and in the "Bulgarian" derby with Cantù, Karyagin and Zherev's team has a real chance to consolidate its position and even attack a higher spot before the start of the eliminations.
photos: legavolley.it
