In the 16th round of the French Men's Volleyball League, Paris, which includes Miyaura Kento and Kai Yuto, played against Poitiers on Saturday, January 13th (local time), and lost 1-3 (25-10, 20-25, 20-25, 15-25). Miyaura Kento had the most points on the team with 20, while Kai Yuto came on as a substitute but did not score any points.
First set starting lineup
Paris
OH: Kovacevic (Serbia), Panu (France)
MB: Marse (Germany), Wetter (USA)
OP: Miyaura (Japan)
S: Mottapaes (France)
L: Kapur (Serbia)
Poitiers
OH: Noda (Spain), Raptis (Greece)
MB: Concepcion (Cuba), Howe (Canada)
OP: Toy (Türkiye)
S: Walsh (Canada)
L: Canessant (France)
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
Match report
In the first set, Paris opened the set with 6 consecutive breaks, including 2 service aces, from OP Miyaura's serve, giving them a 6-0 lead. In the middle of the set, OH Kovacevic's spike and S Mottapaes' service ace led to 4 consecutive breaks, widening the gap to 15-4. In the final set, OP Miyaura's spike and MB Marce's block led to 4 consecutive breaks from OH Kai's serve, who entered the match as a substitute, making the score 22-8. Finally, S Mottapaes' block led to 25-10, giving Paris the set.
In the second set, Poitier started off with a 0-2 lead thanks to a block from MB Concepcion, but with a spike from OP Miyaura, Paris quickly turned the game around to 3-2. After that, the two teams continued to compete with each other, with both teams breaking. With a service ace from OP Miyaura, Paris took the lead at 11-8, but Poitier quickly caught up with a service ace from S Walsh at 11-11. However, at 18-17, Poitier broke three times in a row, with OP Miyaura caught by a block from OH Noda, to take the lead at 18-20, and then with a block from OH Raptis, he broke three times in a row to take the lead at 19-24. Finally, MB Marce's serve was in error, and Poitier took the set at 20-25.
In the third set, Poitiers took the lead 2-4 early on with a block from MB Howe. Then, with a service ace from OP Toy, Poitiers scored four consecutive breaks to extend their lead to 3-9. At this point, Paris switched setter to S Ossar. From there, with a block from MB Wetter and a spike from OH Panu, Paris tied the score at 15-15. However, soon after, Poitiers extended their lead again with a block from MB Howe to 15-19, and at the end of the set, consecutive service aces from MB Howe put them at 18-24. Finally, with a spike from OH Noda, Poitiers took the set 20-25.
In the fourth set, both players broke but the score remained close. Poitier made it 4-6 with a service ace from MB Concepcion, but Paris quickly turned the game around to 8-6 with a block from OH Conde (Argentina), who started the set. However, at 12-12, Poitier made eight consecutive breaks with a block from MB Concepcion, a spike from OP Toy, and a service ace from MB Hau, widening the lead to 12-20. MB Hau blocked a spike from OP Miyaura at the end, and Poitier took the set 15-25.
As a result, Paris lost 1-3 to Poitiers.
MVP: OP Miyaura Kento 20 points (3 serves, 2 blocks) Attack efficiency rate 20.00%
OH Kai Yuto No points Attack effectiveness rate -100%
This leaves Paris with 7 wins, 9 losses and 18 points, dropping them one place to 11th place.
The team's next match will be against Toulouse at 26:00 on Saturday, January 20th, Japan time.
League website: https://www.lnv.fr/lam/statistiques
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Comments from Kento Miyaura after the match
In the first set, our serves were going well and we had a good game, or rather, we had a large lead in points. Then in the second set, we started off well, but in the second half, we made some strange mistakes and it felt like we lost our rhythm. From then on, our opponents started hitting some really good serves, and we just couldn't hold on, or rather, I think the reason we lost today was because we couldn't score points in difficult situations.
Comments from Yuto Kai after the match
I served in the first set, and I think it went well because I was able to attack well there.
Author's comments
I watched this match live. It's colder than the weather this winter in Paris.
The last time I went there in November, I unfortunately lost the match. At that time, the team was on a losing streak, and Miyaura's serves were not going in at all and he was not doing well.
But then the coach changed, Miyaura improved and won MVP awards, and Kai joined the team. Since they were on an upward trend, I was hoping to see Paris Volleyball win and Miyaura win the MVP award up close.
Expectations are even higher as we have confirmed that setter Motta Paes will be returning to the team from this day.
The first set started with six consecutive breaks from Miyaura's serve. It was a great start with Miyaura's powerful serve, as well as his blocks, receives, and spikes, all working together. Expectations are rising.
After that, Paris continued to break serve one after another, and quickly took the first set with a large lead of 25-10.
After the first set ended, I was optimistic and thinking, "Paris is in too much fun, maybe it'll be 3-0 today."
However, the reality was not so sweet...
The second set started off very competitive, but Paris was leading from the middle of the match, so I thought we could win.
However, in the final stages, Poitier scored consecutive points. Moreover, Miyaura's spikes were blocked. They couldn't score the points they wanted at the crucial moment in the final stages.
Poitiers dominated the third set from the beginning. Paris' passers were unable to respond well to Poitiers' serves. Paris doesn't have any players who are really good at receiving serves, including the libero. At times like this, I really feel the high level of passing ability of Japanese players.
After changing the setter to Ossar, they fought hard and managed to tie the score, but Miyaura was once again caught by a block in the final minutes... I didn't want to see this.
He was doing well in the beginning of the fourth set, but in the middle of the set he was beaten by the opponent's setter Walsh's serve, allowing eight consecutive breaks. Kai was brought in midway through the set, but he was targeted by the serve and gave up an ace. He thinks that if he can improve his serve reception he can be a starter in Paris, but judging from his performance today, it seems that it will be difficult.
And the last point was a block by Miyaura. It was a tougher match than the one we saw in November.
However, when I spoke to him after the match, I got the impression that although he was disappointed, he didn't get too upset and was able to move on, so I think he'll be fine next time.
I think the next time I can go and watch a live match will be in February, and I hope they win, and hopefully I can see Miyanoura become the MVP! Go Paris Volleyball!!
Photo: LNV
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