Chartres secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over ASPTT Laval this past Sunday, October 19th, in a National 2 Masculine (N2M) volleyball match. The loss, after a grueling two hours and twenty minutes of play, leaves ASPTT Laval still positioned favorably in the league standings, currently holding second place in their pool as the championship nears its conclusion.
A Battle of Top Teams
The match pitted two of the N2M’s leading teams against each other, and lived up to its billing with a back-and-forth contest that extended to five sets. Laval demonstrated resilience, even managing to create opportunities to close out the match, but ultimately fell short in the decisive moments. They squandered three match point opportunities before Chartres rallied to take the win.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
The opening set saw a tight contest, with both teams struggling initially to establish a consistent service game. Chartres gained a slight edge early on (9-7), but Laval responded strongly, building a five-point lead (15-20). Despite a late push from Chartres, Laval secured the first set 23-25.
The second set proved more challenging for Laval, as inconsistencies in their reception game allowed Chartres to gain control and equalize the match with a 25-16 victory.
Laval regained momentum in the third set, capitalizing on their dynamic play to build a lead and take the set 18-25. The performance of players like Outin was key to this resurgence.
The fourth set was a tense affair, with neither team willing to concede ground. Laval appeared to be on the verge of victory, leading 6-9 and then 9-13. However, Chartres mounted a comeback, tying the score at 15-15 and then 21-21. Laval had two opportunities to secure the match at 22-24, and a third at 24-25, but Chartres successfully fought off each match point, eventually winning the set 28-26 and forcing a fifth and final set.
The deciding set was closely contested up to 11-11, but Chartres ultimately prevailed after the extended effort from both sides.
Laval’s Position in the League
Despite the defeat, ASPTT Laval remains in a strong position in the N2M standings. According to data from FFvolley, as of today, , they are second in Pool A with 35 points after 14 matches, boasting a record of 11 wins and 3 losses. Chartres currently leads the pool with 37 points.
The team’s overall set record stands at 55 sets won and 31 lost, giving them a set ratio of 1.77. Their points ratio is also strong, with 1219 points scored and 1063 conceded.
Looking Ahead
With eight days remaining in the championship, Laval will need to regroup and focus on securing wins in their remaining matches to maintain their position and potentially challenge Chartres for the top spot in the pool. The team will need to address the issues that led to their inability to close out the match against Chartres, particularly their struggles with finishing points under pressure.
The N2M is a competitive league, and Laval’s ability to bounce back from this defeat will be crucial to their success. Their upcoming schedule and opponents will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining their final standing and chances of advancing in the championship.
ASPTT Laval will also be competing in the Nationale 3 Feminine Poule F, where they currently hold third place with 34 points after 14 matches. They are behind Neuville Sports (39 points) and UGS Chambray-Esvres Volley-Ball (38 points). They also compete in the Nationale 3 Masculine Poule B, where they are currently in third place with 32 points after 13 matches.
The team’s participation in multiple leagues highlights their commitment to volleyball at various levels and their ambition to compete at the highest possible standard.
