In the fifth round of the Italian Men's Volleyball League, Monza, the team that Takahashi Ai plays for, played against Verona on Wednesday, November 8th local time, and won 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20).
Takahashi Ai played in the starting lineup and contributed greatly to the team's victory with a team-high 21 points, and was also selected as MVP.
First set starting lineup
Monza
OH: Ma (Canada), Takahashi
MB: Galassi (Italy), Di Martino (Italy)
OP: Schwartz (Canada)
S: Fernando (Brazil)
L: Gaggini (Italy)
Verona
OH: Javoronok (Czech Republic), Sani (USA/Italy)
MB: Cortesia (Italy), Grozdanov (Bulgaria)
OP: Amin (Iran)
S: Jovovic (Serbia)
L: D'Amico (Italy)
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
Match Report
In the first set, Monza scored points mainly from OH Mar and Verona from OH Javoronok, and the match progressed with a close score of 12-12 from the beginning. However, Monza succeeded in consecutive breaks with spikes and blocks from OH Takahashi and took a lead of 17-13. Monza continued to maintain the score difference with blocks from OH Mar and pipe attacks from OH Takahashi. Finally, MB Di Martino's block was successful, and Monza took the set 25-20.
In the second set, Verona took a 4-6 lead with a block from MB Cortesia, but Monza quickly reversed the lead to 8-7 with a spike from OH Takahashi. However, in the middle of the set, Verona took the lead again with a spike from OH Sani, and kept the lead from then on. In the final stages, Monza closed the gap to 23-24 with a spike from OH Marr, but in the end, OH Takahashi's serve was a mistake and Verona took the set 23-25.
In the third set, both teams broke the ball from the beginning, but the score remained the same and the match continued at 7-7. From there, Verona scored five consecutive points with OP Amin's spikes and blocks, and then another break to make it 7-12, and then 9-15, putting them six points ahead. However, immediately after, Monza succeeded in five consecutive breaks with OH Takahashi's blocks and spikes from OH Marr's serve, and a service ace from OH Marr, catching up at 16-16. After that, Monza extended their lead to 23-20 with a block from OP Lepke and a service ace from OH Takahashi, and finally MB Galassi scored a spike to make it 25-22 and take the set in a major comeback.
In the fourth set, Monza scored points with OP Lepki's spikes and Verona's Amin's blocks, and the match continued with a close game at 10-10. However, in the middle of the game, Monza took the lead at 17-15 with OH Marr's spikes and blocks, and then OH Takahashi's blocks widened the gap to 21-18. In the final stages, MB Di Martino made consecutive blocks, and Monza reached match point at 24-20, but in the end, OP Lepki's block was successful and Monza took the set 25-20.
Monza won the match against Verona 3-1.
MVP: OH Takahashi Ai (21 points (1 serve, 4 blocks), attack effectiveness rate 29.41%)
With this result, Monza has risen to provisional second place with a total record of 3 wins, 1 loss and 9 points.
The next match will be against Taranto on Monday, November 13th at 1:00am Japan time.
Italian League Website: https://www.legavolley.it/
Distribution (VBTV, paid): https://www.volleyballworld.tv/home
Comments from Ai Takahashi after the match
Today's match was very tough, but we managed to stay focused. I'm very happy.
Toshiki's Tweets
Monza is strong!!!
Unlike the previous match against Modena where we dominated from start to finish with our serves, there were many tough moments against Verona this time, but we overcame them and won 3-1!!!
The comeback from a 6-point deficit of 10-16 in the third set was especially impressive. To be honest, when you're trailing by 6 points in the middle of a volleyball game, it's not surprising to give up on that set, but I was impressed by the mentality of this team that didn't give up on the set even when they were so far behind.
The key players were OH Ma, who continued to hit strong serves, and OH Takahashi, who scored points with spikes and blocks. In particular, they earned four block points, the most of any team on the day. I was thrilled by their block that stopped the opponent's OP Amin with just one piece.
Although he made a lot of spikes, he also lost a lot of points compared to usual due to being blocked by the opponent. However, it was great that he didn't just let it go, but instead achieved better results than usual in other areas. He offset the four points he lost from blocks with four points from his own blocks.
At 188cm, he is short for a volleyball player, so I think he had a lot of issues with his blocking at the beginning of last season. However, with each match in Italy, his technique has improved, and now it seems to be his forte. How far will he really evolve?
Also, in the middle of the game, OP Schwartz was replaced by Lepke, who is normally an outside hitter, and he played as an opposite, scoring 12 points and achieving a 59% attack effectiveness rate. I never expected to see the three players who were originally competing for positions on the court at the same time. I think Takahashi, who has been friends with him since their days at Padua, was also happy.
Even after Verona lost the third set, they managed to keep their concentration until the middle of the fourth set, but they couldn't keep it up after that. In the previous match, they lost nine consecutive points from 12-10 to Trentino, and were turned around to 12-19, so it would be dangerous if these consecutive losses become a kind of habit.
Monza's next match is against Taranto on Sunday night Japan time. This is an opponent they cannot afford to lose, so I'm sure they will win again!
Forza Monza!!
Photo: Vero Volley
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