A trophy to start with. On Sunday, the NUC won the volleyball Supercup 3-1 once morest Voléro Zurich. At the Mobilière Arena in Gümligen (BE), the Neuchâtel volleyball players won 25-22, 18-25, 25-13 and 25-17.
This meeting was awaited by volleyball enthusiasts: it was the first confrontation between the Neuchâteloises, who have dominated the League A championship for a few years, and the Zurichoises, whose memory of the 13 titles accumulated between 2005 and 2018 is still alive. here. And if it was the NUC who left with this first trophy, there is no doubt that Volero will be a tough opponent this season.
Warm-up lap at the start of the match
In front of 1,200 spectators, this Supercup started in a timid way, the two teams seeming to seek their marks on the ground. A kind of “warm-up set” before really getting into the game. This round riddled with many errors finally turned in favor of the NUC. The Zurich women then woke up, revealing a very good level during the second set, especially in service. Add in the NUC errors and you have a set all over this encounter.
A transfer window that makes the difference
It was without counting on the three new American recruits who arrived at the NUC this summer. Perfectly integrated within the team, the latter made the difference during the third round. Kayla Lund chained a series of ten services. Tessa Grubbs – voted best player – has been on display on many attacks. Without forgetting Maddie Haynes and her 1m93, the last striking force on the wing. The Neuchâteloises were therefore simply in demonstration and they confirmed it during the fourth round as well, with however a few careless errors.
Five days before the start of the League A championship, the NUC was able to show everyone their good form at the moment. It remains to be hoped that Laurent Bertolacci’s daughters will keep this level until the end of the season. The first test will be next Friday away to Lugano. /jha-swe