The fifth victory in a row for a cynical and concrete Tonno Callipo comes from Castellana Grotte and again by 3-0, without therefore losing a set yet. This further unequivocal signal of the strength of coach Saja’s roster would be enough, which continues to lead the ranking, with 15 points, paired with Oplonti who was also victorious (3-1) over Assitec, but with two sets lost so far.
Yesterday was a further test of strength for the Giallorossi, who Castellana only rarely kept up with with some ties in the first set, while in the second Vibo’s supremacy was quite clear. In the third game, however, when Tonno Callipo seemed to be in difficulty, down 8-4, the experience of the great, expert and sly team came to the fore, first letting the opponent let off steam and then gradually weaving the fabric of the comeback (at 9 all), and then breaking away from Castellana with strength and concreteness. Above all thanks to the magnificent trio Botarelli-Grigolo-Civitico, in the end all at 12. In short, this Tonno Callipo was a steamroller, showing its leadership even on the difficult pitch of Bari. And it did so with the virtues typical of ambitious and expert teams, i.e. the evident strength of its players, but also with the patience of knowing how to cash in on some difficult moments without ever becoming disunited, but rather finding within the collective that cohesion in recovering and overcoming the opponent, as happened in the third set.
NEWS. Coach Saja recovers the central Benedetta Rizzo after three matches (good return with 8 points including 2 blocks), paired with Civitico; the diagonal is Besteghi-Botarelli, the bands Grigolo and Pomili, free is Quiligotti. The seven players fight for all three sets, without changes.
The first set flows in balance (4-4, 11-11) until at 15-15 and with a time out already called by the local coach, Tonno Callipo enters the fourth. Besteghi finds good combinations in fast with the returning Rizzo (15-16) and with Civitico, also served in the first half and always responding excellently (17-20, 18-21). Then the opposite Botarelli also enters the game (in the end the personal scout will recite 12 points of which 3 aces and 3 blocks) who, with an attack and an ace, brings the result to 23-19. Castellana tries to slow down the Giallorossi with the second time out, but first Pomili and then an out attack by Vega hand the set to Vibo (20-25).
The second follows the previous one until 11-11: from here onwards Tonno Callipo raises an imperious wall (in the end 10 against 6 as a team) both with Civitico (there will be 3 in total and 1 ace for her) and with Botarelli, protagonists in stopping the opponents Corradetti and Stroppa. Here too coach Ciliberti tries in vain with a time out (down 12-16). However, Vibo always maintains a decent advantage: 14-19 (Civitico ace) and 18-22 (block by Rizzo). Until the devastating left-handed Grigolo emerges: three of his attacks at the end of the set contribute to closing the set (19-25), after a set-point canceled by the Apulians. 2-0 and all according to the plans of coach Saja who, during these first two sets already in the archive, even without time outs, often advises Besteghi on the strategy to adopt in the playmaking.
This brings us to the third set: a slight drop in tension from Tonno Callipo combined with Castellana’s desire for redemption. The set is quite close with continuous reversals in the score: after Castellana’s 8-4, Vibo gets back up by scoring two 3-0 scores (8-7 and 9-10) separated only by a point from Saveriano for the momentary 9-7. Then Vibo seems to take the lead 14-11 with Grigolo, but Castellana doesn’t give up and grabs the draw with a 3-0 partial. The last draw is at 17-17 (fast by Grazia). Here Tonno Callipo removes the arrow and greets the Apulians, detaching them and the local time out at 17-20 is of no use. Two fasts from Rizzo and an attack from Botarelli put Vibo ahead 23-17. The time of a point from Vega for Castellana, and first a service error from the newly entered Colò and then an attack from his team by Grigolo close the set and match (18-25), making Tonno Callipo rejoice. President Callipo’s team was also supported in this away match by the Fossa Giallorossa present in the stands, and at the end the usual embrace of all the girls with the Giallorossi fans under their sector, including coach Saja and deputy Scheid. Next Saturday we return to PalaValentia, hosting Pomezia (6 points), defeated yesterday (0-3) at home by Teramo.
INTERVIEW. Coach Saja is quite satisfied and underlines: “Three important points that continue our positive streak, which has now reached five matches won! Yesterday another match played with such authority on our part, seeking continuity and pragmatism. Well done to all the girls for suffering – adds the Giallorossi coach – when Castellana tried to come out. In important moments, however, we always made ourselves ready, having an excellent reaction and in the end we played a match in which all the numbers say that we were above our opponents. Very good therefore, another step and one more step in our journey, which makes us understand how even when we have to suffer we are capable of staying there with patience, to bring home a great victory and another 3-0. All this against a team that – concludes Saja – will certainly fight for the top of the table.”
CASTELLANA GROTTE – CALLIPO TUNA 0-3
(20-25, 19-25,18-25)
CASTELLANA: Saveriano 5, Corradetti 5, Cabassa 6, Zingoni 5, Grazia 8, Stroppa 11, Vega 3, Formaggio (L, 47%pos, 40%prf), Colò. Ne: Grecea, Merati, Locorotondo (L), Calefati, Salamida. All. Ciliberti
CALLIPO TUNA: Besteghi 1, Botarelli 12, Civitico 12, Rizzo 8, Grigolo 12, Pomili 7, Quiligotti (L, 81% pos, 69% prf). Ne: Vinci, Cammisa, Scarabottini, Natalizia (L), Macedo, Massara, Bacciottini. All. Saja
REFEREES: Riccardo Villa and Riccardo Pavanello.
NOTE: set duration 25′, 24′, 26′ for a total of one hour and 15′. Castellana: ace 1, bs 12, blocks 6, errors 23; Vibo: ace 4, bs 10, blocks 10, errors 14. Attack 34%-37%; reception 41%-55%.