Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie showcased exceptional reception and defense, employing a rapid offense orchestrated by MVP Tavares. They dominated serving with a 4-1 ace advantage, with Russell (12 points) and Kwolek (10 points) reaching double digits. For the “biancorossi” (Civitanova), who struggled with a slow start, Nikolov emerged as the top scorer with 17 points, supported by Loeppky’s 11 points.
In the first set (22-25), Zawiercie maintained solid reception and delivered powerful attacks, achieving an impressive 71% efficiency. Lube responded with 59% positive reception but couldn’t close the gap.
The second set (16-25) saw the Polish team achieve an extraordinary 82% team attack efficiency. Kwolek was particularly outstanding, contributing 6 points with 83% attack efficiency and an ace.
The third set (29-31) proved to be the most fiercely contested. Civitanova mounted a late comeback, even taking the lead, but ultimately squandered five set points in the extended play before succumbing to defeat.
Civitanova’s lineup featured Boninfante as setter, Loeppky, Nikolov, and Bottolo as outside hitters, Gargiulo and D’heer as middle blockers, and Balaso as libero. The Polish side started with Tavares as setter, Boladz as opposite, Kwolek and Russell as outside hitters, former Civitanova player Bieniek and Gladyr as middle blockers, and Popiwczak as libero.
Lube experienced a difficult start, struggling against the visitors’ block and falling behind 1-5. The hosts gradually improved, narrowing the deficit to 8-10 with a block from Gargiulo. The set became more balanced, and Boninfante’s ace brought them to 14-15. However, Aluron re-established a three-point lead (16-19) after a miraculous save and a deceptive touch from Bieniek. Despite saving one set point at 21-24, Lube ultimately conceded the set on a powerful spike from Boladz (22-25).
The second set began with teams trading points, but the visitors quickly demonstrated superior precision and speed. This allowed Winiarski’s side to build a five-point lead (7-12) against a Lube team that was unrecognizable on serve and overly tentative. Nikolov attempted to spark a comeback, and coach Medei introduced the Orduna-Kukartsev diagonal, calling a timeout at 9-15. The Polish club played confidently, while the hosts made too many errors, leading Medei to revert to the starting lineup at 11-18. After another unforced error (11-19), Duflos-Rossi was brought in. Podrascanin replaced D’heer at 13-21. The serving disparity was evident in the final two points for Zawiercie: an ace from Kwolek and a serving error from Civitanova, sealing the set at 16-25.
The third set’s equilibrium was broken by an ace from Gladyr and a Civitanova error (9-12). Matters worsened for Lube with an ace from Tavares (10-14), prompting an immediate timeout from Medei. Combinations between Boninfante and Nikolov attempted to turn the tide (12-14). However, the visitors resumed their strong play, and after an ace by Boladz (14-18), Medei called another timeout. Civitanova rallied, narrowing the gap with a touch from Gargiulo and further reducing the deficit on one of Zawiercie’s rare errors (17-18). At a crucial moment, Civitanova made unforced errors (17-20) but then responded with powerful attacks (19-20), finding an equalizer on a diagonal spike by Nikolov, who then repeated the feat to take the lead (22-21). Bieniek reclaimed the lead for Zawiercie (22-23), but Loeppky quickly responded (23-23). Duflos-Rossi entered the game. A serving error by Lube gave the opponents a match point, which they then sent out (24-24). Civitanova edged ahead with a block from Boninfante, but D’Heer served out (25-25). In the extended play, Lube failed to convert four additional set points and ultimately fell to a block at 29-30, followed by a missed attack that could have leveled the score, ending the set 29-31.
Coach Giampaolo Medei’s Comments
“Our serve didn’t work tonight. I must say that for two and a half sets, they maintained a very high level of play, but we expected that. We weren’t able to add that ‘something extra’ and we paid for our start in the first set, which was actually quite balanced. I liked the team’s reaction in the third set because we managed to create opportunities to extend the match and win that set. We weren’t sharp enough, and that’s a shame. However, we still have one more match to play; we know it will be extremely difficult, just as it was tonight. I am convinced that we can make our mark, and I believe we will also have less pressure. Today, we felt some pressure when the game became difficult, and at this point, I think we need to shake it off and play all our cards in Poland.”
Fabio Balaso’s Comments
“Zawiercie played very well, but we also helped them with our own errors, especially on serve where we couldn’t be incisive. Their setter managed their team optimally. We know the return leg will be very tough, but we need to reset and try. We will go there with nothing to lose, aiming for an upset and trying to play our best volleyball. At times tonight, we played well, but they had something extra. I keep coming back to our serve; it was missing today. We are confident in the group’s qualities, and we will go to their home to fight!”
Match Statistics
CUCINE LUBE CIVITANOVA – ALURON CMC WARTA ZAWIERCIE 0-3 (22-25, 16-25, 29-31)
CUCINE LUBE CIVITANOVA: D’heer 3, Gargiulo 6, Loeppky 11, Orduna, Balaso (L), Boninfante 2, Nikolov 17, Kukartsev, Podrascanin, Bottolo 6, Duflos-Rossi 2. Did Not Play: Bisotto, Hfaiedh, Tenorio Capeloci. Coach: Medei.
ALURON CMC WARTA ZAWIERCIE (POL): Kwolek 10, Russell 12, Boladz 8, Popiwczak (L), Nowosielski, Gladyr 6, Tavares Rodrigues 2, Bieniek 9, Ensing, Łaba. Did Not Play: Zniszczol, Czerwinski, Markiewicz, Ogorek. Coach: Winiarski.
REFEREES: Ferreira (POR) and Vasileiadis (GRE)
Set Durations: 26’, 22’, 35’. Total: 83’.
MVP: Tavares Rodrigues (Aluron Cmc Warta Zawiercie)
Spectators: 2,813.
