📄 Reims Volley 51 valiant but dominated by Ajaccio « Sport Club

In a well-filled room (800 people) and a great atmosphere, Reims Volley held up well this Saturday evening against René Tys against the solid Ajaccio team. But despite a high-level first set, Alexis Farjaudon’s protégés could not resist the power of the Corsican team’s foreign players. Less consistent in the following sets, they logically lost.

MATCH SHEET

REIMS 1-3 AJACCIO
(25-22, 23-25, 17-25, 22-25)
REFEREES : MM Jean-Philippe Quentin & Cédric Decorde
REIMS : Y. Legrand – Ikken 22, Combette 7, Leray 9, Soualem 3, Pire 3, Oumessad, Doumbia 16, Thimalon 1, Liot 1, Aya Dioko. Entr. :Alexis Farjaudon
AJACCIO : Gronon – Serafin, Talon, Socié, Lacassié 11, Weidner 8, Neraudau 4, Guignard, Martins de Pinho 23, Sambou, Patak 18, Perlade, Salles Araujo 12, Le Roux, Bouallegue 1. Entr. : M. Ferrandez

THE MATCH

The home premiere of the season was expected. She frustrated if she didn’t disappoint. Logistically, the transformation of the room into a full René Tys had its effect. Enough to put the protégés of the new coach Alexis Farjaudon in good conditions. From the start, a first fault on the Ajaccian line and a block immediately gave the Rémois a first break. Without being alarmed, the Corsicans focused on their fundamentals, helped by two failed local attacks to regain control (4-5). The GFCA thought about taking the break with a new offensive, but the challenge requested by the Reims camp was profitable for them. From then on, a good series of Boudjemaa Ikken serving put Reims back in the saddle (8-5). The beautiful block and a winning service from Neraudau certainly allowed the Corsicans to respond immediately (9-9). From then on the two teams went blow for blow (13-13). The enormous support from Noah Thimalon concluded by Ikken put RV51 back in the lead (16-13), especially as Yohann Leray and Levy Combette had success offensively (20-16). The good reception work of Yacine Legrand and Noah Thimalon on the pass allowed us to approach the end of a first set won thanks to a service out from Salles Araujo.

The second round started with as much intensity as the first. Ajaccio put the pressure on via Weidner. But the attack of Abdel Aziz Doumbia and the defensive reflex of Billel Soualem left Reims in the game (4-3). More in difficulty receiving, Reims offered a few points to the Corsicans who were gradually trying to raise their level. This was without taking into account the local consistency which left Reims Volley 51 in the lead. Better, the power of the block and the beautiful diagonal of Doumbia offered a good lead (20-17). This is the turning point of the match. The local lead was annihilated by the quality of service from Martins de Pinho, author of two aces (20-20). More precise and powerful on serve, Ajaccio finished better and won the set (23-25).

The Martins-Patak duo made Reims suffer

From then on the dynamic was strong. The visitors relied on a gala Martins serving to take off, while Reims tensed up. Enough to push Alexis Farjaudon into a quick timeout (0-5). The power and success of the Brazilian in serving did not allow the series to be stopped (0-8). And if the bleeding ended up being stopped, Corsican defensive solidity left the visitors with a comfortable lead despite the local revolt (6-11 then 10-19). Under the leadership of Martins and Patak, Ajaccio quietly concluded the set (25-17).

With Tom Liot passing and Mathias Pire on the field, the Rémois held on tighter in the 4th round with great combativeness (7-7). Better yet, Pire’s double counter gave the locals a two-point lead (10-8). With heart, the Rémois took the lead (13-12 then 16-15). But once again, the Rémois lacked consistency. A shortcoming combined with the work of Martins and Salles Araujo which put Ajaccio back in the lead (19-20). The Corsicans no longer let go of their advantage (22-25). A defeat that was both logical and regrettable as we did not feel the Rémois so far away.