Déjà the winner of France Avenir à twice this season (3-0), Royan first contained Nowaczyk’s attacks at the end of the net; Pasquier defended a smash from Mouth, with a dive rewarded by Bonnefoy (5-7), but France Avenir responded and caught up with an ace from Respaut (8-8, 10-10). Royan is in diesel mode before Lallemand takes control of the net. A block and then a slowed-down opponent’s smash that scores the point (10-14). Two attack errors bring France Avenir close (13-15) but Bonnefoy’s strong hand at the block, and then his left-handed shot to find the closed angle in attack allow his team to pull away (14-19, 15-22).
A 3rd set more contested
France Avenir won’t see it again; not even in the second set where Lallemand’s serving makes the opposition falter (5-9). A series of faults and the gap widens to 6-13. RAVB is in control (11-20) and easily takes the set (15-25). But the young players from the National Center do not give up. They fight in defense, make fewer mistakes in serving, more efficient in attack, they raise their game to stand up to Bonnefoy and company (12-12, 19-19).
Nowaczyk continues at the end of the line. It is he who breaks through the Pirates’ defense at 21-19, 23-21, and gives France Avenir two set points. A missed serve by Louchet (24-23) gives the ball to Kofane who shakes the opposition’s reception, with a smash from Bonnefoy and a block from Varier for the win (24-26). In three stages, Royan has turned the match around and avoided overtime. The leader will host Saint-Quentin on Saturday, April 18 (8 p.m.) for a top-of-the-table duel and the opportunity to definitively distance a direct opponent.
