In the fifth round of the second half of the Italian Men's Volleyball League, Monza, the team that Takahashi Ai plays for, played against Verona on Wednesday, January 24th (local time) and lost 2-3 (25-23, 26-24, 23-25, 22-25, 11-15). Takahashi Ai started the game and scored 13 points, but was injured and had to leave the game in the middle of the third set.
First set starting lineup
Monza
OH: Ma (Canada), Takahashi
MB: Galassi (Italy), Di Martino (Italy)
OP: Schwartz (Canada)
S: Cachopa (Brazil)
L: Gaggini (Italy)
Verona
OH: Javoronok (Czech Republic), Mozic (Slovenia)
MB: Grozdanov (Bulgaria), Mosca (Italy)
OP: Amin (Iran)
S: Spirito (Italy)
L: D'Amico (Italy)
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
Match Report
In the first set, Monza took the lead 2-0 with an ace from OH Takahashi, but Verona took four consecutive breaks with an ace from S Spirito and a spike from OH Javoronok to take a 3-6 lead. Verona then widened the gap to 5-9 with a block from OH Mozic. However, Monza continued to break with a block from MB Galassi and a spike from OH Takahashi, and successfully turned the game around to 17-16. Monza then took the set point at 24-22 with a block from MB Galassi and a spike from OH Takahashi, and finally Monza won the set with a pipe attack from OH Marr and a score of 25-23.
In the second set, OH Takahashi's spike and service ace made it 3-2, and OP Schwartz's service ace gave Monza a 6-4 lead. Verona's mistakes continued in the middle of the match, and Monza extended their lead to 12-8. After that, Verona tied the score at 14-14 with a spike from OP Keita (Mari), who came in as a substitute. Monza again widened the gap to 20-17 with a spike and block from MB Di Martino, but Verona turned the game around in the final stages with a service ace from OH Javoronok to 22-23. However, Verona's mistakes allowed Monza to turn the game around again to 24-23 and hold the set point, and finally OP Keita's spike mistake gave Monza a 26-24 victory in this set as well.
In the third set, Verona took the lead at 5-7 with OH Mozic's spikes. Monza then turned the game around with OH Marr's spikes and a service ace to make it 15-13, but Verona quickly tied the score at 15-15 with a service ace from OH Mozic. From there, OH Takahashi was caught by MB Grozdanov's block to make it 17-17, but when he landed, OH Takahashi injured his left ankle and was replaced by OH Repke (Canada). The game continued to be close, but in the final stages, OH Mozic's two consecutive service aces put Verona ahead at 22-24, and finally OP Keita's spike was successful, giving Verona the set 23-25.
In the fourth set, Verona broke the match early on with a block from MB Grozdanov and took a 6-8 lead. Monza turned the game around with a service ace from S Cachopa and other efforts to get a 12-11 lead, but Verona quickly took the lead back with a spike from OH Javoronok at 13-14. Verona then extended their lead to 18-22 with a block from substitute MB Dzingel (Australia) and a spike from OH Mozic, and finally OH Mozic scored a pipe attack to give Verona a 22-25 lead.
In the fifth set, Monza got a service ace from OP Schwartz and a block from MB DiMartino, while Verona got a spike and a service ace from OH Mojic, and while both players broke the other, the match continued at 8-8. At this point, OH Lepke scored consecutive spikes, and it seemed that Monza had taken the lead at 10-8. However, Verona quickly scored a break with a spike from OH Mojic to tie the score at 10-10, and then with a block from MB Dzinger, Verona scored three consecutive breaks in the final stages, making it 11-14 and putting them on match point. Finally, OH Marr's spike went out, and Verona won the set at 11-15.
As a result, Monza lost to Verona 2-3.
MVP: OH Rok Mojic 25 points (4 serves, 1 block) Team attack efficiency rate 44.74%
OH Ai Takahashi 13 points (3 on serve) Attack effectiveness rate 26.09%
This brings Monza's overall record to 8 wins, 8 losses and 25 points, dropping them one place to 7th.
The next match will be against Trentino in the Coppa Italia semi-final at 12:00 am on Wednesday, January 27th (Japan time).
Italian League Website: https://www.legavolley.it/
Distribution (VBTV, paid): https://www.volleyballworld.tv/home
Toshiki's comment
First of all, I am very disappointed about Takahashi's injury, especially that he suffered so soon before the big stage of the Coppa Italia final.
It is a great shame that we will no longer be able to see Takahashi playing in a Monza uniform in front of the huge Coppa Italia crowd, as there were high expectations.
However, what has happened can't be helped, so I just hope that I can return to play at least one game as soon as possible.
I only recently heard from Takahashi himself that he was looking forward to the Coppa Italia final, so I'm sure he's the most disappointed of all, but the Takahashi I know is super positive at all times, so I'm sure he'll be able to switch gears and look forward.
I'm sure you'll be back in good health again soon. I believe so.
Monza took the first two sets of the match, but then lost the third set in a comeback defeat.
I think Takahashi's withdrawal in the middle of the third set was one of the reasons for the loss, but Mozic, who won MVP, also performed brilliantly.
In particular, it was his power that made two consecutive service aces when Monza was leading at the end of the third set. Monza had plenty of chances after Takahashi left, but he was defeated by Mozic at the crucial moment of the match.
The Coppa Italia semi-finals are coming up this weekend.
There is a 99% chance that Takahashi will not be able to play, and he probably won't even be on the bench, so we have no choice but to fight with only the players we have now.
Their opponent is Trentino, who are currently at the top of the league. It will be a tough match, but I hope they put in a good performance.
Takahashi will be replaced by Repke. He struggled with his boots in this match against Verona, but he will definitely be the key to the match against Trento. There is no doubt that he is a strong player, so I expect him to perform at his best.
Good luck Monza!!!
Photo: volleyball.it
You can read the latest issue of Monthly Volleyball for less than half price ↓↓↓
English 
Japanese