On Saturday afternoon, Valsa Group Modena managed a hard-fought 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 27-25) home victory over Cisterna Volley and improved to 9 points and a 3-0 win-loss record on top of the table. They can no longer be pushed below the fourth place in the final standings and are bound to play in the semis. Meanwhile, Cisterna stayed in fourth place on the same 3 and 1-2 record with another three teams. Modena’s Cuban outside hitter Jose Gutierrez was the top scorer of the match with 19 points, including two aces and two kill blocks.
Last year’s bronze medalists Allianz Milan are still in contention for a spot in next season’s European Cups again after producing their first win in the fifth-place playoffs on Friday, a 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-15) shutout of Sonepar Padova Padua at home with outside Davide Gardini leading the way with 13 points. Now on 3 and 1-2 each, Allianz and Padova switched their places in the standings. The team from Milan is now third, while the squad from Padua is down to fifth.
SuperLega rookies Yuasa Battery Grottazzolina also celebrated their first victory in the fifth-place playoffs, a 3-1 (16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 28-26) home win over Rana Verona on Saturday, but remained bottom of the table, in fifth place on 3 and 1-2. Verona also stayed put in second place on 6 and 2-1. Grottazzolina’s Serbian opposite Dusan Petkovic was on fire with six aces and a match-high 25 points towards his team’s success.
The fourth leg will be played on Wednesday, April 23.
