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Rennes’ REC Volley experienced a frustrating setback this past Saturday, falling to Saint-Quentin in a 3-1 defeat (19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 14-25). The loss highlights ongoing challenges for the team, particularly with slow starts to sets, according to head coach Frédéric Gibert. Despite a brief resurgence in the third set, REC Volley couldn’t maintain momentum, ultimately succumbing to a dominant performance from their opponents.

This defeat marks the 15th loss in 19 outings for the team in Ligue B, a result that understandably disappointed Gibert. The team now faces a difficult road ahead, with a crucial match against league leaders Martigues scheduled for next Saturday. The outcome of that game will be pivotal in determining whether REC Volley can improve upon their performance in the first phase of the season.

Gibert pinpointed inconsistent starts as a recurring issue plaguing his team. “We start the game with a weak tempo, not at all in the same way as Saint-Quentin,” he lamented, emphasizing the need for greater intensity from the opening serve. He added that the team’s service quality in the first set was “just dramatic,” and a lack of consistent performance across the board contributed to the loss.

Frustrating Pattern of Slow Starts

The coach expressed frustration with the team’s inability to translate practice intensity into game performance. “we are unable to maintain the efforts from start to finish, to show the necessary intensity,” Gibert explained. “We put our game plan in place, but as soon as something comes out of it, we let it proceed.” This pattern, he noted, echoes struggles experienced earlier in the season against teams like Cambrai and Martigues.

Despite the disappointing result, there were individual bright spots. The performance of Lévy Combettes, particularly his effectiveness on the counter-attack, and the initial impact of Mattéo Rosan were noted positives. However, these contributions weren’t enough to overcome the team’s overall struggles.

Youth and Inexperience a Factor

Gibert attributed some of the team’s inconsistency to its youthfulness. “We have the disadvantage of our youth, that is to say that we would like everything to be done immediately, without patience,” he said. He too noted the team’s difficulty in applying pressure to their opponents, a key element in securing victories at this level.

The technical sheet from the match reveals the scoring breakdown: Shewart (1), Combettes (8), Fonseca (18), Cardin (21), Legrand, Sosson (4), Navet, Rosan (8), Koné, Henry for REC Volley. Hallé served as the libero, and Frédéric Gibert was the coach. For Saint-Quentin, Faganas led with 23 points, followed by Maréchal (12), De Almeida (12), Teuira-Hioe (9), Coulet (3), and Creek (10). Ruiz was the libero, and Dario Dukic coached the winning side.

Looking Ahead to a Difficult Matchup

REC Volley faces a significant challenge next week with a trip to Martigues, currently the top team in Ligue B. Gibert acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match, stating, “We only have one opportunity left to do better than in the first phase, to win three times instead of two, but when we know that we are traveling to the leader, Martigues, next Saturday, it will not be easy.”

The team will need to address its issues with slow starts and maintain consistent intensity throughout matches if they hope to secure a positive result against Martigues. The club’s long-term ambition, as outlined in the “REC Volley 2030” project, is to establish itself as a leading force in French volleyball and eventually compete on the European stage. This project aims to build a sustainable and competitive program in Rennes.

The team’s performance against Martigues will be a crucial indicator of their progress and their ability to compete at the highest level in Ligue B. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if REC Volley can overcome their recent struggles and demonstrate the potential that led to the ambitious goals of the “REC Volley 2030” initiative.

What do you reckon REC Volley needs to do to turn their season around? Share your thoughts in the comments below.