The last match of the first phase of the men's regional Volleyball championship was played this Friday in Mâcon for the volleyball players from the mining area. Halfway through, the results are starving for the protégés of coach Nico Verrier who have only won once in a tough group where they play more the role of sparring partners intended to absorb the blows. The meeting against the young prefectural players was a source of motivation but unfortunately has not yet made it possible to put an end to the black streak.
The match, however, started ideally for the ASPM who took the game on their own and capitalized the points quite easily thanks to a newfound efficiency both in defense, in the block and in attack (25-20). A great first for the players and for the coach who sees the progress of his group but knows that in volleyball as in life, nothing is ever acquired. Mâcon will quickly raise its level of play while the Montcellians are won over by their old demons, once again suffering from a faulty reception which limits the passer's choices. The local attackers take advantage of this, they enjoy themselves and skilfully combine placed or powerful attacks to drive home the point. The ASPM is never really left behind but pays dearly for its approximations and lets go at the end in each of the three following sets (25-19; 25-20; 25-22).
Like the myth of Sisyphus, the team seems condemned to tirelessly push the rock of victory without ever managing to hoist it to the top. Faced with this repetition of defeats, the Montcellians experience a sort of sporting absurdity: their potential is undeniable but each match becomes a vain attempt at revolt against a destiny which seems written in advance.
At the end of this first leg, the ASPM is in penultimate place in the ranking, but neither resignation nor weariness are on the agenda. Reception is a priority area of work which will make it possible to consolidate the current weaknesses, the block is a strong point which must remain so and the players, diligent in training, remain united. Each defeat has left its mark but it nourishes the conviction that a future victory will mark the beginning of a new era.
The Montcellians still have one match to play in 2024 on Friday December 20 at 9:00 p.m. at the Parriat high school gymnasium against Team Buxy. Victory loves effort and it only comes to those who know how to devote time to it without ever giving up in the face of difficulty. So let's trust the local volleyball players to have learned all the lessons from this learning phase which, hopefully, is now over. As an optimistic African proverb says: “the tree that falls always makes more noise than the forest that grows”…
Manu B
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