Franches-Montagnes Volleyball admits defeat, despite having a match point. The Jurassiennes lost 3-2 against Lugano on Sunday at Saignelégier during the 2nd day of Ligue A. In detail, they lost 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 25-27 and 17-15 at the end of a suspenseful match.
Lugano, which is one of the contenders for the first places as in recent seasons, entered this meeting with a bang. Volleyball Franches-Montagnes managed to stay in contact with the Ticino athletes until around the middle of the first set, before letting their opponent slip away who won 25-18. The Taignonnes reacted well in a tight second round. They were sharper and better contained the attacks of their opponents who, however, did not give up. The VFM had to fight hard to win 25-22 and equalize at one set everywhere.
Nothing was easy in the 3rd round for Mélanie Cina’s team, who used the same basic six as in last week’s victory against Guin. The Jura attackers showed off their strike force, but the visitors defended well. Lugano made the difference when there were 18-18 after contested rallies to win the 3rd set 25-21 and move in front.
A hooked match
Getting off to a bad start in the fourth round and being up to 5 points behind, the Franc-Montagnardes came back late to even get ahead. Mélanie Cina took the opportunity to make some changes which paid off. In a thrilling finale, the local team had to save a match point, before finishing 27-25.
Everything came down to the 5th set where Volleyball Franches-Montagnes got off to an ideal start, leading 10-6. The players went point for point on each side of the net, but it was the Ticino women who went in front to obtain two new match balls. The Jurassiennes erased them to serve in turn to win the game without being able to conclude. It was ultimately Lugano who had the last word in front of some 430 spectators from Saignelégier who came to encourage the VFM who are now playing at home wearing their new colors, yellow and black. “I’m already very happy that we were able to go to the 5th set. We came back well in the 4th even though we were a little behind, that’s something very good on our part. Afterwards, a little disappointed not to have been able to go all the way and win this match. In the end, there’s no point in having regrets, it’s part of the game,” analyzed the central player from VFM Vanina Matériaux, who was, at 22, lined up in the basic six for the second time in a row. /emu
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