Volleyball Delight: Nice Eagles Soar to Victory!
This past Saturday, the Eagles from Nice took to the court in Plessis-Robinson as part of the 6th day of the Marmara Spike League. You’d think they were auditioning for a flying show instead of volleyball, as they pulled off a fantastic 3-1 victory (17-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-15). Not a bad evening for a bunch of Aiglons, considering the only thing most of us score on a Saturday night is a takeout and a slight regret!
First Set
The first set was a real rollercoaster… one where the Nice team forgot to buckle their seatbelts! From the get-go, Plessis-Robinson cruised like they were on a casual Sunday drive—quickly rocketing to a 3-0 lead and widening the gap like a bad parking job. You could hear the Nice fans gasp as they trailed by nine points at 22-13. The final whistle for the first set was a polite 25-17, leaving Nice feeling like the turkey on Thanksgiving—served nicely, but not quite ready for dinner. They really had to start buzzing if they wanted to avoid being outplayed like a cheap accompaniment to a Michelin-star meal!
Second Set
Ah, the second set—the moment when Nice decided to flip the switch! A bit like turning from a night out at the pub to a wild dance-off, they came back with a fury, showing aggression that would make a grizzly bear look timid. At 5-5, they sprang into action, pulling away to 12-7 like they just found a hidden stash of energy bars. However, Plessis-Robinson wasn’t about to dock their ship just yet and equalized at 13-13. But no! Nice battled back; this wasn’t a match for the faint-hearted, folks! The set ended in their favor, 25-20, putting a spark back in their step. As my friend Ricky would say, “Sometimes, you just need to grow a pair… or at least some determination!”
Third Set
The tension reached new heights in the third set, with both teams trading points like it was Black Friday and everyone was after that last TV. With Nice leading 10-7, it looked like they might just take home the gold. However, cue the dramatic music: Plessis-Robinson bounced back up to equalize at 18-18. It was less like a volleyball match and more like watching a tense game of chess unfold! Finally, Nice snagged the set-ball and squeaked past with a 25-23 finish. I mean, it was enough to make even Rowan Atkinson proud—less Mr. Bean, more volley-genius!
Fourth Set
With the momentum from the third set, Nice kicked off the fourth set like they were on a mission, leaving no room for Plessis-Robinson to breathe. They expanded their lead to 10-6 after a perfect start, looking less like a struggling team and more like a well-oiled volleyball machine! As the scoreboard showed 15-8, it was clear that the evocative coffee shop talk about their last derby loss against Cannes had been replaced with conversations about victory. They sealed the match with a head-turning 25-15—the kind of performance that would leave their opponents questioning all their life choices!
With this win, Nice boosts themselves to a respectable 3 wins in 6 matches. They’re sitting pretty at 5th place—right in the qualifying spots for the final phases. Next week, they’ll have to face Poitiers at home, so let’s hope they bring their A-game instead of the B-team! Will they continue their flight path to glory? Or will they land back at square one? Keep those fingers crossed—volleyball is officially the only high you need on a Saturday night!
Some Stats
Match Duration: 2h 01m
Total Points: Plessis-Robinson 83 / Nice 92
Top Scorer for Plessis-Robinson: Antti Ronkainen and Pedro Molina Mercado with 11 points
Top Scorer for Nice Volleyball: Simon Hirsch with a dazzling 19 points
Success Rate of Attacks: Plessis-Robinson 47% / Nice 50%
So, put your hands together for Nice—a team that epitomizes the idea that “it’s not how you start, but how you finish,” or in this case, it’s how you spike that really counts! Until next time, keep your volleyball dreams alive and your puns sharp!
This Saturday evening, the Eagles traveled to Plessis-Robinson for an exciting matchup in the Marmara Spike League on its sixth day. After a stellar performance, the Niçois triumphed with a score of 3 sets to 1, clinching the sets at 17-25, 25-20, 25-23, and 25-15.
Premier set
The Aiglons of Nice had a tough time establishing their rhythm during the opening set. Right from the beginning, Plessis Robinson showcased remarkable energy, quickly taking the lead. After falling behind 3-0 and 5-1, the Niçois found it challenging to stage a comeback. Facing a determined team, Nice struggled to regain momentum. Plessis Robinson’s relentless attacks increased the score gap as the set progressed, creating a daunting 22-13 lead against the Nice defense that seemed to falter. The final score of 25-17 illustrates the one-sided nature of this initial encounter, prompting the Niçois to regroup for the next set.
Second set
The second set changed the dynamics for Nice, marking a turnaround for the team. From the onset, the Aiglons displayed renewed aggression and managed to gain a crucial advantage. At 5-5, they seized the lead, with strong attacking plays that expanded the gap to 12-7. However, the momentum was briefly interrupted as Plessis Robinson fought back to equalize at 13-13. The Nice players, undeterred, rallied back, regaining control and stretching their lead to 19-15. They maintained this determination and ultimately secured the set by finishing strong at 25-20.
Third set
The two teams engaged in a fierce rivalry throughout the third set, with neither side willing to concede ground. Nice initially took the lead at 10-7, and the gap widened to 17-13. Yet, Plessis Robinson showed resilience, clawing back to equalize at 18-18. The tension escalated, with every point becoming crucial. Nice managed to edge ahead at 19-18, but their opponents responded immediately. The score fluctuated dramatically until the end, with both teams fiercely contesting each point. Eventually, Nice secured a crucial set point, converting it to take the set 25-23. The Aiglons were now in the lead with two sets to one.
Fourth set
Following a powerful start to the fourth set, the Nice players were unyielding, giving no chance to their opponents. At a tie of 4-4, Nice hit the accelerator and surged ahead, establishing a pivotal 10-6 lead. Despite mounting pressure, the Aiglons remained calm and continued to accumulate points, maintaining their dominance with a lead of 15-8. As the match neared its conclusion, their comprehensive superiority was undeniable, cementing the result at 25-15, thus declaring victory. This win served as a significant boost for the Niçois after their earlier disappointment in the derby against Cannes last Tuesday.
With this victory, the 3rd in 6 matches, Nice remains firmly entrenched in the top 8 at the 5th position, still in the running for the final phases. The Aiglons will next face off against Poitiers, with their match scheduled for next Saturday at 7 p.m.
Some stats
Match duration: 2h01
Total des points: Plessis-Robinson = 83 / Nice = 92
Nice Volleyball top scorer: Simon Hirsch, making a significant impact with 19 points
% of successful attacks: Plessis-Robinson = 47% / Nice = 50%.
Interview with Simon Hirsch, Top Scorer for Nice Volleyball
Editor: Welcome, Simon! Congratulations on your team’s thrilling victory against Plessis-Robinson! How does it feel to secure that 3-1 win?
Simon Hirsch: Thank you! It feels amazing. We knew it was going to be a tough match, especially after losing the first set. But we rallied together and showed what we’re capable of. The energy from the fans really boosted us too!
Editor: Speaking of that first set, it looked pretty challenging for Nice early on. What were the key differences between your performance in the first set compared to the subsequent ones?
Simon Hirsch: In the first set, we were a bit hesitant, and Plessis-Robinson took full advantage of that. So, when we regrouped in the locker room, we focused on being aggressive and trusting in our training. Once we found our rhythm, everything clicked.
Editor: The second set was a turning point. How did the team manage to flip the script and come back with such intensity?
Simon Hirsch: It was all about mindset! We knew we couldn’t let that first set define us. I think we just needed to reignite the fire and everyone stepped up. It felt like a whole different team when we stepped back onto that court.
Editor: You personally had a standout game, finishing as the top scorer with 19 points. What was working well for you in terms of your play?
Simon Hirsch: Honestly, it was a team effort. I had great support from our setter and the rest of the squad who set me up for those spikes. I just tried to play my game and keep the pressure on our opponents. Whatever I could do to contribute to the win!
Editor: Looking ahead, Nice is currently in fifth place in the Marmara Spike League. What are your thoughts on the next match against Poitiers? Are you feeling confident?
Simon Hirsch: Absolutely! Every match is crucial, and we’ll bring the momentum from this win with us. We need to keep that winning attitude and put on a show at home. With the fans cheering us on, I believe we can achieve great things!
Editor: Well, Simon, best of luck in the upcoming match, and thank you for sharing your insights with us!
Simon Hirsch: Thank you for having me! Looking forward to the next game!
: Absolutely! You really seemed to hit your stride in the third set, with both teams trading points fiercely. What was going through your mind during that nail-biting phase of the game?
Simon Hirsch: It was intense, for sure! I remember focusing on each play, trying not to get too caught up in the score. My teammates and I were just telling each other to stay calm and keep communicating. It felt like we were in a chess match, and we had to outsmart our opponents at every turn.
Editor: You certainly outsmarted them in the fourth set, which was a dominant performance. What do you think changed for the team that allowed such a strong finish?
Simon Hirsch: Our confidence was at an all-time high after winning the third set. We entered the fourth set with the intention to finish strong. We made sure to stay focused on our game plan and not give them any chances to come back. The whole team was just dialed in!
Editor: With this win, Nice is sitting in a strong position in the league. What’s the team’s mindset looking ahead to next week’s match against Poitiers?
Simon Hirsch: We’re feeling really motivated! We know that every match counts, and we want to carry this momentum into next week. Poitiers will be tough, but if we keep playing like this and stay united, we can take them on!
Editor: Well, Simon, it’s been great chatting with you! Best of luck in your upcoming match!
Simon Hirsch: Thank you! Looking forward to bringing home another win!