the essential
Two matches, two victories in their men’s Nationale 3 group, the Ariégeois are off to a perfect start to their season. They dominated a solid Arles team at the end of the tie-break (3-2) after more than two hours of play.
TFVB 3 – ARLES VB 2 (22-25 ; 25-16 ; 21-25 ; 25-18 ; 15-13).
The Ariège public was invited to a real marathon for this second day of Nationale 3. The TFVB wanted to confirm its good start, concluded with a 3-0 victory, without appeal, against the TOAC TUC III. Arles II, the visitors of the day, wanted, for their part, to quickly erase the disappointment, at home, against Montpellier Croix d’Argent (1-3). During 5 sets, because, yes, the match lasted more than 2 hours, the two teams presenting the same qualities of play, with two efficient sharps, and the same values, including the “fight”, went blow for blow.
The first round, after an observation round, saw Arles make the break by relying on the slick play of their passer, Michel Clyde, who, while alternating his distribution, effectively found Avrillaud at the forefront. 22-25, the TFVB, without being dominated, sometimes faltered with its volleyball, despite great reactions from Grosdidier, his point guard, or captain Baptiste Bru.
The second set starts with the same rhythm. Until 11-11, the teams don’t give up. And it’s the locals, this time, who are cracking up the guys from Bouches-du-Rhône. Thomas Buyssine’s block on the wing is good. 14-11, then 16-11 with Grosdidier. 21-15, the TFVB put the “cauldron” back in the center of the village and Baptiste Bru drove the point home with a huge block 22-15, and 25-16, a set everywhere, the ball in the center. And off we go again. The start of the third and fourth rounds is identical. Both teams are fighting for every ball. And, as in the first two sets, each in turn, Tarascon/Foix in the 3rd (21-25), and Arles, in the 4th (25-18) crack. Tie-break! It’s hot, both teams want the match. If “draw” existed, it would be fair. The TFVB makes the first mini break (4-2). On the attack side, excitement is on both sides. It’s the “gnaque” that will make the difference (6-5). Justin Bouville, the libero, puts out another superb defense; 7-5, then 8-6. Arles is still there with the duo Clyde / Avrillaud and Clément Arnaud, the libero, just as exceptional as his fellow Tarasco-Fuxéan (9-9). Robin Bru, then his brother Baptiste, do it again (11-9). The tension is palpable; 12-10, then 14-10, with Grosdidier and a winning service from the “little” Bru. The cauldron thinks it’s won. But, like the 2 hours of the show offered, Arles is nibbling (14-13). At the end of the suspense the ball falls on the visitors’ side. 15-13, the audience can explode.
Arles gave the TFVB a hard time. We know that Chabrel’s men have difficulty against the
teams who play the same volleyball as them, clean over several periods of play in a row. “Papa Chab”, who used his bench wonderfully yesterday afternoon, has once again confirmed this. The Greens and Whites can enjoy, they have two victories in two matches and can calmly prepare for the derby against the Tarnais of PUC 81, on October 20, in Puygouzon.
