It was the surprise guest of this return semi-final. Particularly for the Chaumontais staff, who only seems to have realized the absence of Simon Magnin during the warm -up. After a season spent in the shadows, Maxime Roatta took the light this Friday, replacing his young teammate, affected by the abdominals at the start of the week.
Since the start of the play-offs, the central had only touched three balls in matches 4 and 5 against Tourcoing in the quarter-final, leaving the replacement area to serve. He multiplied this total by four in a single match, with an ACE at the key in the third set (19-17), adding two winning attacks (2/3) and a block on Suhkonen in the initial sleeve (20-16). Without forgetting a beautiful defense on Mathis Henno at the start of the third set, which Thibaut Thoral improved on the attack (9-7).
“I didn’t let go because we have a great group”
The two men, like Thomas Pujol or Tom Cannessant, interesting in reception on its passages in rear line, perfectly symbolize the state of mind of this group. They did not always have playing time but answer present when Dan Lewis calls on them. Especially during these play-offs. It may be even more true for the central, fourth in the hierarchy behind Renan Michelucci, Simon Magnin and Jackson Howe, who had only had the right to “crumbs” in the regular season while watching his partners play fourteen times, without treading the field, being satisfied with three tenure against Chaumont, on December 14, in Narbonne, on February 22 And seven other entries, more or less long.
“I’m very happy for Maxassured the Canadian coach of the Alterna SPVB. He had to be third central at the start but the late arrival of Simon (Magnin) has changed things. It was difficult for him and me. But in important moments, he responds present. He was patient and he was released this (Friday) evening during the match. »« I will not hide you that it was super complicated for me mentallyrecognized the former Chaumontais who should have playing time in the final. I did not let go because we have a great group, everyone is super humanly. This is one of the reasons why we are hyper united. Substitutes can also bring on the ground and it shows. »» And it is all together that they are preparing to compete in the final …
